Roland went up to Bonaparte and told him what the sergeant-major had just said.
"These rogues often have good ideas," he said. "Call him."
Roland beckoned to the sergeant to come forward. He advanced with a military step, and stopped a couple of yards away from Bonaparte with his hand at the vizor of his shako.
"Are you the bullet merchant?" asked Bonaparte.
"I sell them, but I do not make them."
"And you can furnish them for five sous?"
"Yes, general."
"How do you do that?"
"Ah! that is my secret! If I were to tell it, everybody would be selling them."