e Maire, and promised to
mention his conduct, upon their return to Tours; and then, saying
goodbye to him, rode into the village alone. The sergeant of Uhlans
came to the door of the principal cabaret, and looked out.

"Good day," Ralph said, in German, reining up his horse. "Is it
here that I cross the river, for Fontainebleau? They told me, at Le
Chatelet, that it was shorter than going round by the main road."

"Yes, you are right here," the sergeant said. "Have you passes?"

"Oh yes," Ralph said, laughing. "It would have been no easy matter
to get from Frankfort here, without them."

So saying, he pulled out the Prussian permit.

"That is right," the sergeant said. "Your horses look very done."

"We have ridden from Coulommiers through Rozoy, and Normant."

"It would have been an easier road to have gone from Normant
through Melun," the sergeant said. And he took out a map, and
examined it. "No, I see le Chatelet is a more direct line."

"We have time to wait an hour," Ralph said, turning to Percy; "and
it will be better for our beasts. See that they are rubbed down,
and fed."

The sergeant gave a peremptory shout, and the master of the wine
shop ran out. The sergeant pointed to the horses.

"Do you speak French?" he asked Ralph.

"No," Ralph said, "but my son does.

"Aaron, tell him to rub them down, and feed them well; and see to
it, yourself. These dogs are capable of cheating even a horse."

Ralph then entered the cabaret, and called for some bread and
cheese and a bottle of the best wine, with three glasses. The
Prussian sergeant sat down with them, and talked of Germany for an
hour. Then they started again, crossed the river and, an hour and a
half later, entered Melun. Here, as they came in by the road from
Fontainebleau--which was held in force by the Germans--no question
was asked.

They rode their tired horses through the streets, until they saw a
quiet hotel. Riding into the yard, they told the hostler to put up
their horses, and to clean and feed them well; enforcing their
request with a five-franc piece. They then entered the hotel, and
found that they could have beds; as the number of German officers
quartered upon this house was smaller than usual, owing to the
greater portion of the troops having been pushed on, to reinforce
Von der Tann.

It was now half-past five, and was already dusk. They therefore
went at once to the Maire; to whom they presented Gambetta's
letter, and reques