"I knew him at once, as I was saying. He is tall, he is strong; his hair is turning gray, and he wears a heavy moustache, and was dressed in peasant costume. He came to me, and said in a voice that was so like his mother's: 'You are welcome!' I extended my hand, he did not seem to be astonished, and received it cordially. I went to the table, and while I ate my soup I watched him closely. He took the little girl up in his arms, and began to talk to her in a low voice, and the child listened intently. I could not hear what was said, but presently the child came running to me.
"'Monsieur,' she cried, 'will you do me a favor?'
"'Certainly,' I replied.
"'Will you drink with papa to the French army?'
"'Most gladly!' I answered, wondering at the same time if Simon took me for a spy. The mere idea made me feel ill, and I wanted to tell him who I was, when he came to the table with a couple of glasses.
"'To the success of our arms shall be our toast, sir!' he said. I answered, as I raised my glass to my lips: 'To France!' His eyes flashed with joy. These words had evidently conquered his distrust.
"'Would it be indiscreet to ask, sir, by what strange chance you are in this wild place?'
"I told him, for I had to lie, that I had lost my way. He looked at me a moment.
"'You come from Germany, do you not?'
"'Are you a sorcerer?' I exclaimed.