"Do as I tell you," said the Emperor, good-humoredly, "and leave the
rest to me." He was in a mood apparently that nothing could dash that
morning. "And you will be as much surprised as the Prussians, and I
believe that nobody can be more amazed than they will be."

CHAPTER III

THE ARMY MARCHES AWAY

Gallantly on his errand rode young Marteau. Napoleon's order to
Berthier, by him transmitted down the line, had secured four of the
best horses in the army for his messengers. For young Marteau went not
alone. With him rode a tall grenadier of the Imperial Guard, whose
original name had been lost, or forgot, in a sobriquet which fitted him
perfectly, and which he had richly earned in a long career as a
soldier. They called him "Bullet Stopper," "Balle-Arretante," the
curious compound ran in French, and the soldiers clipped it and
condensed it into "Bal-Arret!" He used to boast that he had been
wounded in every country in Europe and in Asia and Africa as well. He
had been hit more times than any soldier high or low in the army. He
had distinguished himself by valor, and, but for his humble extraction
and meager education, might have risen to a high command. As it was,
he was personally known to the Emperor, and was accounted as one of the
favorite soldiers of the army.

He, too, had been a dweller on the Aumenier estates. It was his tales
of adventure which had kindled the martial spirit in young Marteau,
whom he had known from his birth. A warm friendship subsisted between
the young officer and the old soldier, which no difference in rank or
station could ever impair. When the Emperor had given him leave to
take with him whomsoever he would, his thoughts had at once turned to
old Bullet Stopper. The latter had gladly accepted the invitation.

Behold him now, his huge body astride of an enormous horse--for,
although the grenadier was a foot-soldier, he could still ride after a
fashion--plodding along through the mud and the wet and the cold on the
mission which, if successful, would perhaps enable Napoleon to save the
army and France, to say nothing of his throne and his family.

Captain Marteau, or Major Marteau, to give him his new title, had said
nothing as to the nature of his mission, upon which they had been
dispatched, to the humble comrade, the faithful follower who
accompanied him. He had only told him that it was difficult,
dangerous, and of vital importance, and he had explained to hi