"Ah, if we could only have got it back!" exclaimed the Major.
"It is back."
"What do you mean?"
"It is here."
"I don't understand."
"Look," cried the officer, nervously tearing away the wrappings and holding up his precious burden.
The Major came to attention, his heels clicked together, his hand went up. He stared at the Eagle.
"Vive l'Empereur," he said.
"Vive l'Empereur," answered the other, but both of them spoke in whispers, for there was no Emperor, and a mention of the name was treason to the King.
"It is the same?" asked the Major, taking the precious emblem in his hand and pressing it to his heart.