Harkaway handed it over and was settling back again when he heard a police official asking—
"Where is the gentleman who was run over at Marseilles?"
"Here," said Harkaway.
The gendarme ran to the spot, and to his intense surprise saw the victim of the accident in the act of taking a hearty drink from his brandy flask while his left hand held a lighted cigar.
"What do you want?" demanded Mole.
"The officials at Marseilles, unable to stop the train, telegraphed to me to see that you had proper medical attendance."
"Ha, ha, ha! look here, old boy; I always carry my own physic. Taste it."
The officer took the flask, and finding that the smell was familiar, applied it to his lips.
"The fact is," said Harkaway, "the gentleman was wearing wooden legs, and they only were damaged."
"Indeed; then you think that you are able to proceed on your journey, sir?"