"Don't you worry about that, little one," returned the kindly gendarme, placing his hand upon her shoulder in a fatherly way. "Leave it all to me. I have my orders from Madame Pradère, and shall see that everything is done just as she wishes. Unharness your horse, set up your stage, and let me attend to the rest."
Nadine was puzzled, but the fact that Madame Pradère had instructed the old gendarme calmed her doubts, and she said blithely:
"Very well, sir, I'll do just as you say."
Cæsar accordingly unharnessed Steady, and then, aided by Nadine, proceeded to take from the van the materials for the stage.
This was always a hard bit of work for their weak arms, but it was particularly hard on the days when they had not had any breakfast. Nevertheless they would go bravely to work with the help of the intelligent elephant, who would lift and carry the heavier planks in his powerful trunk.
To-day, however, they had no lack of helpers, for, no sooner did the soldiers see what they were about, than they hastened to offer their assistance, and in a jiffy the stage was set up instead of taking many weary minutes.
Just as it was finished a servant-maid carrying a large basket came up.
"Madame Pradère sent this to you," she said, smiling, "she thought you might like something to eat," and she proceeded to produce from the basket a liberal supply of tempting food which she placed upon the stage.
"Truly your mistress is our good angel to-day!" cried Nadine, the tears of joy and gratitude brimming her eyes. "I shall not fail to present to her our thanks before we go away from here."