And now be silent, and it may save you a
stripe or two to-morrow."
There are situations in which even the greatest find it hard to
maintain their dignity, and this was one. I looked at Maignan
and La Trape, and they at me, and by the light of the lanthorn
which the latter held I saw that they were smiling, doubtless at
the dilemma in which we had innocently placed ourselves. But I
found nothing to laugh at in the position; since the people
outside might at any moment leave us where we were to fast until
morning; and, after a moment's reflection, I called out to know
who the speaker on the other side was.
"I am M. de Fonvelle," he answered.
"Well, M. de Fonvelle," I replied, "I advise you to have a care
what you do. I am M. Gringuet's deputy. The other man is an
impostor."
He laughed.
"He has no papers," I cried.
"Oh, yes, he has!" he answered, mocking me. "M. Curtin has seen
them, my fine fellow, and he is not one to pay money without
warrant."
At this several laughed, and a quavering voice chimed in with
"Oh, yes, he has papers! I have seen them.
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