ars could
speak; and the words he had uttered were just such as might be expected
to proceed from a bear.

Young Pierre had bravely stuck by me all the time, and was more inclined
to believe me than any one else.

"I have heard say that Jacques Chacot is a great rascal, and if monsieur
will take my advice he will go to Monsieur Jules Pontet, the mayor, who
will compel him to allow the bear to be properly examined, and if it
proves to be a man have him set at liberty," he observed.

"You are a sensible little fellow," I answered; "and if you will show me
the way to the mayor's house, we will go to him at once. But don't let
any one know, or Chacot will take means to hide the bear, or carry him
off, or perhaps throw him into the sea and drown him, so that there may
be no evidence of his knavery."

"That's just what I was thinking, monsieur," said Pierre, as he led the
way. We hurried on, for I was very anxious about Larry's safety,
fearful that Chacot would play him some trick. In about twenty minutes
we reached the most respectable-looking house in the village.

"Monsieur the mayor lives here," said Pierre. "He is at home, I know,
for he never leaves so early in the day."

I knocked at the door, and, being admitted by a neat-looking woman in a
high cap, was ushered into a room, where I found Monsieur Jules Pontet,
the mayor, seated, with number of papers before him. I explained that,
having been induced to go and see a strange animal said to be a bear, I
had discovered a countryman, an old acquaintance of my own, who had been
compelled by some means or other to play the part, that he was being
cruelly treated, and desired to be set free.

The mayor listened politely.

"I have heard of this strange animal, and suspected that there was some
trick," he observed; "I will accompany you forthwith, and if you are
right in your conjectures, we will have the man set free."

"They are more than conjectures, they are certainties, monsieur," I
answered.

I then thanked him for his courtesy, when, getting his hat and cane, he
immediately set out with me, followed by Pierre, who was eager to see
the end.

We found a number of people collected round Chacot's cottage, which made
me hope that during my absence he had not been able, had he contemplated
violence, to carry his intention into effect.

"I wish to see this strange animal I have heard of," said the mayor in
an authoritative tone. "Go, some of you, and tell