eve he means
it. But as I want to make the capture myself, and in as brilliant a
manner as possible, it is advisable to take precautions in order not to
expose the Government to ridicule. That's what I want you for. You are
quite a stranger in the country and nobody knows you; I want you to go
and see for certain if it really is Quastana who goes to this man's
house."

"But I have never seen this Quastana," I began.

My chief pulled out his pocket-book and drew forth a photograph much the
worse for wear.

"Here you are!" he exclaimed. "The rascal had the cheek to have his
portrait taken last year at Porto-Vecchio!"

While we were looking at the photo the peasant drew near, and I saw his
eyes flash vengefully; but the look quickly vanished and his face
resumed its usual stolid appearance.

"Are you not afraid that the presence of a stranger will frighten your
cousin, and make him stay away on the following Sunday?" we asked.

"No!" replied the man. "He is too fond of cards. Besides, there are many
new faces about here now on account of the shooting. I'll say that this
gentleman has come for me to show him where the game is to be found."

Thereupon we made an appointment for the next Sunday, and the fellow
walked off without the least compunction for his dirty trick. When he
was gone, the Prefect impressed upon me the necessity for keeping the
matter very quiet, because he intended that nobody else should share the
credit of the capture. I assured him that I would not breathe a word,
thanked him for his kindness in asking me to assist him, and we
separated to go to our work and dream of promotion.

The next morning I set out in full shooting costume, and took the coach
which does the journey from Ajaccio to Bastia. For those who love
Nature, there is no better ride in the world, but I was too busy with my
castles in the air to notice any of the beauties of the landscape.

At Bonifacio we stopped for dinner. When I got on the coach again, just
a little elevated by the contents of a good-sized bottle, I found that I
had a fresh travelling companion, who had taken a seat next to me. He
was an official at Bastia, and I had already met him; a man about my own
age, and a native of Paris like myself. A decent sort of fellow.

You are probably aware that the Administration, as represented by the
Prefect, etc., and the magistrature never get on well together; in
Corsica it is worse than elsewhere. The seat of the Admini