Presently he said:
“How old is he?”
“About the same age as monsieur.”
“How does he occupy himself?”
“He walks, rides, talks with his Highness, asks questions of the people, reads in the library, and sometimes shoots and fishes.”
“Is he a soldier?”
“He carries no sword, and he takes long aim with a gun.”
A sly smile was lurking about the porter’s mouth. The visitor drew from his pocket a second gold piece, and, slipping it into the other’s hand, said:
“Tell it all at once. Who is the gentleman, and what is his business here? Is he, perhaps, on the side of the Revolution, or does he—keep better company?”
He looked keenly into the eyes of the porter, who screwed up his own, returning the gaze unflinchingly. Handing back the gold piece, the man answered firmly: