"'Clothed in a blue blouse, a trousers, and a pair of shoes.'
"The first match went out; we lighted a second. The man went on, as he turned out his pockets:
"'A horn knife, check handkerchief, a snuff-box, a bit of packthread, a piece of bread.'
"The second match went out; we lighted a third. The gendarme, after having handled the corpse for a long time, said:
"'That is all.'
"I said:
"'Strip him. We shall perhaps find something near the skin.'
"And, in order that the two soldiers might help each other in this task, I stood between them to give them light. I saw them, by the rapid and speedily extinguished flash of the match, take off the garments one by one, and expose to view that bleeding bundle of flesh still warm, though lifeless.
"And suddenly one of them exclaimed:
"'Good God, General, it is a woman!'