“But you have the Vienna.”
“The Vienna is not navigable.”
“Could it not be made so?”
“It is the dream of the entire population of Limousin.”
“Monsieur, what is your name?”
“Martin.”
“Very well, Monsieur Martin: when you return home, tell your neighbors that in less than three years their river will be navigable.”
“Who are you,” asked Martin, “who speak with so much authority?”
A bland smile lighted up the features of the man with the gray hat, as he replied, with simplicity,—