's chest, and put his ear
to the other. Then Jerry put his trumpet against Rene's chest, and
listened while Rene breathed and coughed. I was afraid _I_ would cough
too.

'"This hollywood one is the best," said Jerry. "'Tis won'erful like
hearin' a man's soul whisperin' in his innards; but unless I've a
buzzin' in my ears, Mosheur Lanark, you make much about the same kind o'
noises as old Gaffer Macklin--but not quite so loud as young Copper. It
sounds like breakers on a reef--a long way off. Comprenny?"

'"Perfectly," said Rene. "I drive on the breakers. But before I strike,
I shall save hundreds, thousands, millions perhaps, by my little
trumpets. Now tell me what sounds the old Gaffer Macklin have made in
his chest, and what the young Copper also."

'Jerry talked for nearly a quarter of an hour about sick people in the
village, while Rene asked questions. Then he sighed, and said, "You
explain very well, Monsieur Gamm, but if only I had your opportunities
to listen for myself! Do you think these poor people would let me listen
to them through my trumpet--for a little money? No?"--Rene's as poor as
a church mouse.

'"They'd kill you, Mosheur. It's all I can do to coax 'em to abide it,
and I'm Jerry Gamm," said Jerry. He's very proud of his attainments.

'"Then these poor people are alarmed--No?" said Rene.

'"They've had it in for me for some time back because o' my tryin' your
trumpets on their sick; and I reckon by the talk at the alehouse they
won't stand much more. Tom Dunch an' some of his kidney was drinkin'
themselves riot-ripe when I passed along after noon. Charms an'
mutterin's and bits o' red wool and black hens is in the way o' nature
to these fools, Mosheur; but anything likely to do 'em real service is
devil's work by their estimation. If I was you, I'd go home before they
come." Jerry spoke quite quietly, and Rene shrugged his shoulders.

'"I am prisoner on parole, Monsieur Gamm," he said. "I have no home."

'Now that was unkind of Rene. He's often told me that he looked on
England as his home. I suppose it's French politeness.

'"Then we'll talk o' something that matters," said Jerry. "Not to name
no names, Mosheur Lanark, what might be your own opinion o' some one who
ain't old Gaffer Macklin nor young Copper? Is that person better or
worse?"

'"Better--for time that is," said Rene. He meant for the time being, but
I never could teach him some phrases.

'"I thought so too," said Jerry. "Bu