oration, approached the officers.

"Gentlemen," said he, "excuse me for interrupting, but do any of you
know the exact depth to which an aeroplane bomb can penetrate?"

The officers gave him a few details, which, however, did not seem to
satisfy the old fellow. His anxiety became more and more visible.

"I wouldn't worry, sir, if I were you. There's absolutely no danger
down here."

"Thank you for your assurance, Messieurs," said he, "but I'm not in the
least anxious about my personal safety. It's my drawings and my
collection of porcelains that are causing me such concern. I thought
once that I'd box them all up and bring them down here. But you never
can tell what dampness or change of temperature might do to a water
colour or a gouache. Oh! my poor Fragonards! My poor Bouchers!
Gentlemen, never, never collect water colours or porcelains! Take it
from me!"

At that moment the bugle sounded--"All's well," and as we were
preparing to mount the stairs, the old man accosted the officers anew,
asking them for the titles of some books on artillery and fortification.

"That all depends to what use you wish to apply them."

"Ah, it's about protecting my collection. I simply must do something!
I can't send them to storage, they wouldn't be any safer there, and
even if they were I'd die of anxiety so far away from my precious
belongings."

"Good-nights" were said in the vestibule, and the gathering dispersed
just as does any group of persons after a theatre or an ordinary
reception. But once in the street, it was absolutely useless to even
think of a taxi. People were pouring from every doorway, heads stuck
out of every window.

"Where did they fall? Which way?"

In the total obscurity, the sound of feet all hurrying in the same
direction, accompanied by shouts of recognition, even ripples of
laughter, seemed strangely gruesome, as the caravan of curious hastened
towards the scene of tragedy.

"No crowds allowed. Step lively," called the _sergeants-de-ville_, at
their wits' end. "Better go back home, they might return. Step
lively, I say!"

It happened thus the first few visits, but presently the situation
became less humorous. One began to get accustomed to it. Then one
commenced to dislike it and protest.

Seated by the studio fire, we were both plunged deep in our books.

"_Allons_!" exclaimed H. "Do you hear the _pompiers_? The Gothas
again!"

We stiffened up in our chairs and listen