"'Voyons, gentlemen! The coin remains my property, I think,' I said, picking it up and replacing it in my pocket.
"'If any other gentleman desires to do battle similarly for the Madonna's oil,' I continued, but none came forward. On the contrary, they cheered me as the ancient Romans, of whom you have heard, might have cheered a triumphant gladiator.
"'I thank you, gentlemen,' I said, bowing with dignity, and walked away.
"But my triumph was to have a consequence which I did not foresee. For the remainder of the day my mind was not entirely easy. Some of my fellow prisoners were whispering together in a manner that did not tend to reassure me. My antagonist had partially recovered and was the centre of mysterious conclaves. There seemed reason to fear that an advantage would be taken of me while I slept—some act of violence done to me in the dark.
"'Voyons!' I said to myself. 'I cannot keep awake every night; but this night it is necessary that I should watch and see what happens.'
"Nor had I long to wait before I saw something to justify my fears. The very man whom I had discomfited in the morning was creeping stealthily towards me along the dormitory floor, where I lay stretched, as all the others were, upon a poor, hard mattress. I waited until he had got quite close to me, and then suddenly sat bolt upright, with my hand on my umbrella, prepared to strike with it. But there was no need to strike.
"'Hush!' the man whispered. 'You proved yourself this morning. I now come to you as a friend. I bring you these.'
"Imagine my surprise when I saw him gently place a small handful of small coins upon my bed.
"'What does this mean, then?' I whispered in reply, still watching and suspecting treachery.
"'It is your share.'