"But I will let Trooper Siballe speak."

"This is how it was, Captain. About a year and a half ago, I was lounging
about the barrack-yard, between six and seven o'clock in the evening,
when a woman came up and spoke to me, and said, just as if she had been
asking her way: 'Soldier, would you like to earn ten francs a week,
honestly?' Of course, I told her that I decidedly should, and so she
said: 'Come and see me at twelve o'clock to-morrow morning. I am Madame
Bonderoi, and my address is No. 6, _Rue de la Tranchée_.' 'You may rely
upon my being there, Madame.' And then she went away, looking very
pleased, and she added: 'I am very much obliged to you, soldier.' 'I am
obliged to you, Madame,' I replied. But I plagued my head about the
matter, until the time came, all the same.

"At twelve o'clock, exactly, I rang the bell, and she let me in herself.
She had a lot of ribbons on her head.

"'We must make haste,' she said; 'as my servant might come in.'

"'I am quite willing to make haste,' I replied, 'but what am I to do?'

"But she only laughed, and replied: 'Don't you understand, you great
knowing fellow?'

"I was no nearer her meaning, I give you my word of honor, Captain, but
she came and sat down by me, and said:

"'If you mention this to anyone, I will have you put in prison, so swear
that you will never open your lips about it.'