post-horse at Saint-Denis, for I have important business on hand which
can't be delayed."

"Oh! he'll go well enough," said Pere Leger. "Besides, the distance
isn't great."

"I am never more than half an hour late," asserted Pierrotin.

"Well, you are not wheeling the Pope in this old barrow of yours,"
said Georges, "so, get on."

"Perhaps he's afraid of shaking monsieur," said Mistigris looking
round at the count. "But you shouldn't have preferences, Pierrotin, it
isn't right."

"Coucous and the Charter make all Frenchmen equals," said Georges.

"Oh! be easy," said Pere Leger; "we are sure to get to La Chapelle by
mid-day,"--La Chapelle being the village next beyond the Barriere of
Saint-Denis.



CHAPTER IV

THE GRANDSON OF THE FAMOUS CZERNI-GEORGES

Those who travel in public conveyances know that the persons thus
united by chance do not immediately have anything to say to one
another; unless under special circumstances, conversation rarely