“I put the question to him, but he had scarce the patience to hear me out.
“‘Thousand devils!’ said he, ‘I knew nothing of all this.’
“‘Exactly,’ I replied. ‘Christine is not the one to cry her troubles in the street. Yet few of her age have suffered as she has suffered. Had I not made up my mind to speak to you, you would have heard no complaint from her. Now, however, you will know what to do, and you will not forget old Andrea, who wished you well in the work.’
“He was the more excited at this, bending over the table so that I spoke almost into his ear while I told him that Ugo Klun had deserted at Jajce, and that a corporal had lied to shield him from the service.
“‘It is written in the reports,’ said I, ‘that Master Ugo is dead. But what of that? A word spoken by one in authority will set everything right. It may even be that the village gossips tell a true tale when they say that the lad fired on the corporal sent to take him. Should that account be the true one, Lieutenant, little Christine’s husband will be shot, and she will be free to give her love where she pleases. Eccoli, there is a thing for you to dream of! Body of my soul, if I had your little burden of years upon my shoulders, and my lips were cold for want of the warmth of a little girl’s kisses, I would settle the thing in an hour. What! you do not understand me?’
“He had jumped up from his seat as my plan unfolded itself; and now he strode up and down the little room, while the waiter gaped with astonishment and the glasses rattled upon the table.
“Far from misunderstanding me, excellency, he had rushed to my suggestion like a drunkard to the wine; and the intoxication of it was upon him already.
“‘Blitzen, old Andrea,’ said he, stopping by my table presently, ‘but this shall be worth money to you! You are telling me the truth?’
“‘Telling you the truth! Holy Virgin, would I come to you with a lie upon my lips? Ask any at Jajce whether or no Ugo Klun, the son of the woodlander, was not drawn for service in that town.’
“‘I believe you,’ he cried, ‘I believe you, by G—! Come along with me now—come instantly, for my feet dance with impatience. Thousand devils! she shall have a pale face no more. I will never leave her side again. Oh! there shall be money in your purse for this, old Andrea.’