"Do you know him?"
"I know all men," replied the stranger, smiling: "as I know you two, and Viscount Charny, Isidore, Lord of Boursonnes; as I know Catherine, the prettiest girl of the county."
"I bade you not speak her name, for she is no more—she is dead."
"Why, no, Father Billet," broke in Pitou, "for she——"
He was no doubt going to say that he saw her daily, but the farmer repeated in a voice admitting of no reply,
"She is dead."
Pitou hung his head for he understood.
"Ha, ha," said the stranger: "if I were my friend Diogenes, I should put out my lantern, for I believe I have found an honest man." Rising, he offered his arms to Billet, saying: "Brother, come and take a stroll with me, while this good fellow finishes the eatables."
"Willingly," returned Billet, "for I begin to understand to what feast you invite me. Wait for me here," he added to his friend; "I shall return."