The Argosy, March 1907 — page 80: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The bushy mustaches bristled agres- sively, his face was turned a dull red, and his eyes winked rapidly. “Tt would seem, my friend,” said In- wood quietly, “ that the man has injured you. Was it that night, near Cannes?” ‘““And when else?” growled the soldier. ‘‘I entered the stable with a lantern. I left, locking the door behind me; Jean Pichard, who stood outside can bear witness to that. It was early in the morning; the emperor had awak- ened and we were preparing to go for- ward. Then what happened? They opened the stable door to permit you better freedom. On the straw _ they found a dead man and in a corner, trussed like a fowl for the fire, the other. Of course there was an outcry, and that mouchard rushed into the emperor’s pres- ence. What was said I know not, only a little later it was the emperor himself who summoned me. “*Sergeant Victor coldly, ‘it is one question only I would put to you: Did you enter the stable where the American was confined last night?’ “JT did not lie to him—why should I? He looked at me for an instant; and he can look at a man, monszeur. “*Vour sword, sir,’ said he coldly. ‘Then, your chevrons.’ ‘“T obeyed as one in a stupor. When I had ripped off the chevrons he looked at me sternly. ““*T never forget, Victor Rhoul,’ said he half sadly, ‘and it is because of Rivoli, Arcole, Marengo and Auster- litz, where you were called to my atten- tion, that I go no further. It was in my mind a moment ago that you be placed with your back against yonder wall, but I do not forget what you have been. It is enough that a soldier of France be stripped of his uniform. You wear that of my cuirassiers, but you are no longer of the army of the empire.’ “It was the command that I strip the uniform from my back; that it should follow the chevrons and my sword. I felt hot and coldeall at once. It was he, the Little Corporal, who spoke thus to one of the oldest of his soldiers. Rhoul,’ said he “ Sire!’ cried I, and I had never trembled so in battle ; ; ‘some one has lied to you.’ THE ARGOSY. ‘“He answered me sternly. ‘I have spoken; the information is authentic. Go, or I may forget that you once wore my uniform with honor.’ “It is a terrible thing, monsieur, to hear the emperor utter such words. It was that mouchard who filled his head with evil thoughts against me, because I had visited the stable. I remembered that he must have seen me as I departed. It is to him I owe all that, monsieur.” “But you still wear the uniform of a grenadier,’ suggested Inwood. Victor Rhoul again shrugged his shoulders. “ What would you, monsteur, haying worn one for fifteen years? ”” “Then the emperor has again received you among his followers? ”’ . “Dame, no! but it pleases me to fol- low old habits. I am too old a bird to change plumage so easily.” “Then you are not a grenadier—not a soldier of the empire? ”’ Rhoul struck his hand against his: thigh. “ Sacré bleu! you see it is this way. I have a cousin who was wounded over there in Russia. He was a famous fel- low, this grenadier; it was nothing for him to twist between his two hands an iron horseshoe. But being shot through the leg by a splinter of cannon ball, his fighting days are over. To him I related what I have told you. He swore roundly, for his wound has not interfered with that. “ “Take, mon gargon, what is now of no use to me,’ said he. ‘ Paris is filled with old comrades and none will be the wiser unless it chances you- come face to face with the emperor himself.’ I followed his Bap EesHOn, and lo, I am a grenadier.”’ ‘And now you have no occupation?” asked Inwood. “Except to walk the streets; at night I return to my cousin’s house.” “He lives then in Paris? ” ‘Where else but in the Rue des Chan- teurs; very quietly with a half- FEES. daughter. And, monsieur? ” For a moment Inwood hesitated Yet it seemed as though the hand of Provi- dence was in it. Cast adrift in the streets of Paris, with powerful enemies surrounding him and unfamiliar with the violently Gomichboo <SEGO