actually came to the point, I could not
bring myself to the depths of meanness and cowardice which this
involved. I had learned at school the maxim that "liars never prosper,"
and my dear old father had taught me to avoid falsehood from much higher
considerations than those of mere temporal prosperity. I determined
therefore that, whatever the danger, I would not endeavour to shield
myself by anything so despicable as a lie.

In the meantime it was no use to be down-hearted over my misfortune,
that would only tend to make matters worse instead of better; besides
which, I had no notion of showing my enemies that I was disheartened or
apprehensive; so I brightened up, and assuming a great deal more
nonchalance than I felt, I directed the Corsican to inquire our
destination, and also to say that I hoped we should breakfast before
starting, as I felt frightfully hungry.

He interpreted my question, adding that, as he supposed the sergeant
could find his way back to Ajaccio without assistance, he would now
leave us, as he had several matters requiring his immediate attention.
Before going, however, he trusted that the sergeant would pay him the
reward promised in case of my capture, or give him a note to the
colonel, certifying that he had duly performed his contract.

The sergeant seemed rather surprised at the proposal; beyond expressing,
however, an ironical regret that the party was to be deprived of Master
Guiseppe's entertaining society, he made no demur, and drawing an old
letter from his pocket he scribbled in pencil on the inner side of the
envelope the required certificate, which he handed over to the Corsican
with the remark,--

"There you are, most glorious Apollo; take care of it, for it is worth
_more_ than you are likely to honestly earn for many a year to come.
Will you stay and have some breakfast? No? Well, good-bye then for the
present; I dare say we shall meet again."

"Assuredly, signor, and not long hence, I trust. For breakfast I have
all I require with me, and I shall eat as I travel, since time is
precious with me, and I wish to get a lift as far as Ajaccio in one or
other of the market carts. _Au revoir_!"

The Corsican flung his musket over his shoulder as he spoke, and,
thrusting the certificate into his ammunition pouch, strode out of the
hut and disappeared, just as one of the men entered with a pot of hot
coffee, which had been prepared outside.

Upon this the sergeant produced so