"I didn't get it from anybody, sir," replied Titi. "I found it in the courtyard of the infantry barracks."
"Don't tell me lies," said the Captain sternly, "or you'll be sorry for it. Tell me who gave you that paper."
"Nobody, sir."
"If you tell me," said the Captain, "I won't increase the punishment Lieutenant Pernod has given you. If you don't, I'll give you eight days' prison."
"I found it, sir," insisted Titi.
"Very well," said the Captain, "get your things ready to go to prison."
"Yes, sir," politely replied Titi.
"And if you go on much longer like that," said the Captain, in a voice shaking with rage, "you'll soon go to Biribi."[36]
The Captain walked out, accompanied by the Lieutenant, and soon afterwards two men from the guard, accompanied by a Corporal, came into the room with drawn swords, and Titi was marched away between them to the prison.