Viroflay was crowded with Prussian troops. An officer stopped them, as they passed.
"Where are you going to?"
"We are going to Bellevue," Ralph said. "We are purchasers of any curiosities or souvenirs of the war--such as pictures, or clocks--and we also undertake to deliver, in Germany, any article which may be entrusted to our charge. We have our passes and papers, in regular order."
"Wait a minute," the officer said. "Draw up at that villa there."
The wagon drew up to the villa, the officer walking in front. He motioned to Ralph to dismount, and to follow him into the house; leaving Percy in charge of the wagon Five or six officers were sitting in what had been the drawing room of the villa.
"Who have you got here?" one of them asked, as Ralph's conductor entered.
"A worthy Hebrew," the other laughed, "who will either purchase, or carry home, articles saved."
There was a general movement of interest. The furniture of the room was a wreck, the papers were hanging in strips, a broken chair was blazing upon the fire; several family portraits on the wall were pierced with holes, having evidently served the purpose of targets, for pistol shooting.
Ralph's conductor left the room for a moment, and returned with a very handsome drawing room clock; worth, Ralph knew, at least fifteen hundred francs.
"How much will you give for that?"