from what I have heard, you have done much and gone far. Tell me of it,
Caron."

They drew their chairs to the hearth, and they sat talking so long that
the early February twilight came down upon them while they were still at
their reminiscences. La Boulaye had intended reaching Valenciennes that
night; but rather than journey forward in the dark he now proposed to
lie at Boisvert, a resolution in which he did not lack for encouragement
from Charlot.

CHAPTER IX. THE CAPTIVES

Amid the sordid surroundings of Charlot's private quarters the Captain
and the Deputy supped that evening. The supper sorted well with the
house--a greasy, ill-cooked meal that proved little inviting to the
somewhat fastidious La Boulaye. But the wine, plundered, no doubt, in
common with the goblets out of which they drank it--was more than good,
and whilst La Boulaye showed his appreciation of it, Charlot abused it
like a soldier. They sat facing each other across the little deal table,
whose stains were now hidden by a cloth, and to light them they had four
tapers set in silver candlesticks of magnificent workmanship, and most
wondrous weight, which Tardivet informed his guest had been the property
of a ci-devant prince of the blood.

As the night wore on Captain Charlot grew boisterous and more
confidential. He came at length to speak of the last capture they had
made.

"I have taken prizes, Caron," said he, "which a king might not despise.
But to-day--" He raised his eyes to the ceiling and wagged his head.

"Well?" quoth La Boulaye. "What about to-day?"

"I have made a capture worth more than all the others put together. It
was an indifferent-looking berline, and my men were within an ace of
allowing it to pass. But I have a nose, mon cher"--and he tapped the
organ with ludicrous significance--"and, bon Dieu, what affair! I can
smell an aristocrat a league off. Down upon that coach I swooped like a
hawk upon a sparrow. Within it sat two women, thickly veiled, and I give
you my word that in a sense I pitied them, for not a doubt of it, but
they were in the act of congratulating themselves upon their escape from
France. But sentiment may become fatal if permitted to interfere with
enterprise. Stifling my regrets I desired them to alight, and they being
wise obeyed me without demur. I allowed them to retain their veils. I
sought the sight of things other than women's faces, and a brief survey
of the coach showed me where to bes