"Sir!" he said to Coconnas, "thanks for the honor you wish to confer on me, but it is probable that if you knew me you would not do so."
"Faith!" said Coconnas, "I declare that, even if you were the devil himself, I am very greatly obliged to you, for if it had not been for you I should be dead at this time."
"I am not exactly the devil," replied the man in the red cap; "but yet persons are frequently found who would rather see the devil than me."
"Who are you, pray?" asked Coconnas.
"Sir," replied the man, "I am Maître Caboche, the executioner of the provostry of Paris"—
"Ah"—said Coconnas, withdrawing his hand.
"You see!" said Maître Caboche.
"No, no; I will touch your hand, or may the devil fetch me! Hold it out"—
"Really?"
"Wide as you can."