‘Without doubt you are right to remind me that a man like yourself ought to be approached with a great deal of circumspection,’ I returned, with a mixture of politeness and irony.
Garnier’s face flushed.
‘I mean what I have said,’ he affirmed. ‘You must not suppose that you are dealing to-day with Colonel Garnier. In my position one has responsibilities to which there attaches itself a sentiment of honour, you understand, M. V——?’
My experience has not taught me that men become more scrupulous by being promoted from the rank of Colonel to that of General, but only that they become more greedy. I replied—
‘I understand of course that one does not buy old coins at the same price from a general officer as from a field officer.’
Garnier’s face assumed a look of indecision.
‘For whom are you acting, this time?’ he demanded.
‘General, if any one had asked me formerly from where I had procured my Roman coins, what do you suppose my answer would have been?’
Garnier tugged thoughtfully at his moustache, as he frowned over a refusal which was, at the same time, a proof that he could trust me.
