“They say when the Lord fashioned the first maid of Alsace half the angels cried themselves ill with jealousy,” said I, looking up at her.
“And the other half, monsieur?”
“The sterner half started for Alsace in a body. They were controlled with difficulty, mademoiselle. That is why St. Peter was given a key to lock them in, not to lock us poor devils out.”
After a silence she said, musing: “It is a curious thing, but you speak as though you had seen better days.”
“No,” I said, “I have never seen better days. I 30 am slowly rising in the world. Last year I was a lieutenant; I am now inspector.”
“I meant,” she said, scornfully, “that you had been well-born—a gentleman.”
“Are gentlemen scarce in the Imperial Military Police?”
“It is not a profession that honors a man.”
“Of all people in the world,” said I, “the police would be the most gratified to believe that this violent world needs no police.”
“Monsieur, there is another remedy for violence.”