and Bourg, at a spot called Les Carronnieres.

A curious fact was connected with these stoppages. A sum of four
thousand francs and a case of jewelry had been mixed up by mistake with
the money-bags belonging to the government. The owners of the money had
thought them lost, when the justice of the peace at Nantua received
an unsigned letter telling him the place where these objects had been
buried, and requesting him to return them to their rightful owners,
as the Companions of Jehu made war upon the government and not against
private individuals.

In another case; that of the Carronnieres--where the robbers, in order
to stop the mail-coach, which had continued on its way with increased
speed in spite of the order to stop, were forced to fire at a horse--the
Companions of Jehu had felt themselves obliged to make good this loss to
the postmaster, who had received five hundred francs for the dead horse.
That was exactly what the animal had cost eight days before; and this
valuation proved that they were dealing with men who understood horses.

The _proces-verbaux_ sent by the local authorities were accompanied by
the affidavits of the travellers.

Bonaparte was singing that mysterious tune of which we have spoken;
which showed that he was furious. So, as Roland might be expected to
bring him fresh information, he had called him three times to come in.

"Well," said he, "your part of the country is certainly in revolt
against me; just look at that."

Roland glanced at the papers and understood at once.

"Exactly what I came to speak to you about, general," said he.

"Then begin at once; but first go ask Bourrienne for my department
atlas."

Roland fetched the atlas, and, guessing what Bonaparte desired to look
at, opened it at the department of the Ain.

"That's it," said Bonaparte; "show me where these affairs happened."

Roland laid his finger on the edge of the map, in the neighborhood of
Lyons.

"There, general, that's the exact place of the first attack, near the
village of Bellignieux."

"And the second?"

"Here," said Roland, pointing to the other side of the department,
toward Geneva; "there's the lake of Nantua, and here's that of Silans."

"Now the third?"

Roland laid his finger on the centre of the map.

"General, there's the exact spot. Les Carronnieres are not marked on the
map because of their slight importance."

"What are Les Carronnieres?" asked the First Consul.

"General, in our