like priests and physicians. Derville signed to Boucard, who vanished.

"During the day, sir," said the attorney, "I am not so miserly of my
time, but at night every minute is precious. So be brief and concise.
Go to the facts without digression. I will ask for any explanations I
may consider necessary. Speak."

Having bid his strange client to be seated, the young man sat down at
the table; but while he gave his attention to the deceased Colonel, he
turned over the bundles of papers.

"You know, perhaps," said the dead man, "that I commanded a cavalry
regiment at Eylau. I was of important service to the success of
Murat's famous charge which decided the victory. Unhappily for me, my
death is a historical fact, recorded in /Victoires et Conquetes/,
where it is related in full detail. We cut through the three Russian
lines, which at once closed up and formed again, so that we had to
repeat the movement back again. At the moment when we were nearing the
Emperor, after having scattered the Russians, I came against a
squadron of the enemy's cavalry. I rushed at the obstinate brutes. Two
Russian officers, perfect giants, attacked me both at once. One of
them gave me a cut across the head that crashed through everything,
even a black silk cap I wore next my head, and cut deep into the
skull. I fell from my horse. Murat came up to support me. He rode over
my body, he and all his men, fifteen hundred of them--there might have
been more! My death was announced to the Emperor, who as a precaution
--for he was fond of me, was the master--wished to know if there were
no hope of saving the man he had to thank for such a vigorous attack.
He sent two surgeons to identify me and bring me into Hospital,
saying, perhaps too carelessly, for he was very busy, 'Go and see