"They can say Hôtel Royal. None of my crew have ever got into trouble since the ship's company was organized," added Paul, who wanted to go out himself, and could not deny to others what he took himself.
The permission was given to walk till eleven o'clock, but the boys were admonished to behave properly, and to return punctually. Lynch and Grossbeck, who still clung together as fast friends, left the hotel in company.
"This is jolly—isn't it?" said Lynch, as they passed out of the Rue Fossé aux Loups into the Place de la Monnaie, a small square in front of the Théâtre Royal.
"For less than an hour," added Grossbeck, gloomily.
"We don't understand French, and so we can't tell what time it is," laughed Lynch.
"That won't go down. We were told to be back at eleven."
"But if we don't know what time it is, we can't be tied to the bell-rope."
"No use; the captain knows the boom from the bobstay, and if he isn't a Knight of the Golden Fleece, you can't pull wool over his eyes. You know he put McDougal through this morning."
"Well, come along. We'll have a good time while it does last," replied Lynch, apparently appalled by recalling the summary treatment of his shipmate.
"Everybody seems to be having a good time here," said Grossbeck, as they passed a café, in front of which were a great number of small tables, at which gentlemen were drinking, smoking, and carrying on noisy conversation. "I don't see any reason why we should not. What are they drinking there?"