“Well, you see, sir,” was the nervous reply, “I am a peace-loving man. I don’t want to fight, and I won’t fight if I can help it.”
“A nice specimen of a Frenchman, to be sure,” said the captain, with a sneer. “If you are such a peace-loving man, how does it happen we find you here? Why haven’t you fled with the rest of the old women and children?”
“Well, you see, sir,” quavered the man, “I have been hiding here. I was afraid that if I went to Paris I would be forced to fight.”
“And you have been hiding here ever since war broke out?”
“Yes, sir. I have a nice hiding-place downstairs,” and he rubbed his hands in satisfaction.
“And you were not discovered by the Germans?”
“No, sir; and a party of officers were here only yesterday.”
“Then, no doubt, you heard their plans. Perhaps you can give us important information?”
“I could, yes, sir,” was the reply. “But, if I do, will there be any pay for me?”