"Was not hurt. He returned to Cahors, to raise more men. I, as my advice seemed to be taken in ill part, came here."
He spoke in a blunt, straightforward way, as to an equal; and at once seemed to be, and not to be, a gentleman. The Curé, seeing that he puzzled me, hastened to introduce him.
"This, M. le Vicomte," he said, "is M. le Capitaine Hugues, late of the American Army. He has placed his services at the disposal of the Committee."
"For the purpose," the Captain went on, before I had made up my mind how to take it, "of drilling and commanding a body of men to be raised in Quercy to keep the peace. Call them militia; call them what you like."
I was a good deal taken aback. The man, alert, active, practical, with the butt of a pistol peeping from his pocket, was something new to me.
"You have served his Majesty?" I said at last, to gain time to think.
"No," he answered. "There are no careers in that army, unless you have so many quarterings. I served under General Washington."
"But I saw you last night with M. de St. Alais?"
"Why not, M. le Vicomte?" he answered, looking at me plainly. "I heard that a house was being burned. I had just arrived, and I placed myself at M. le Comte's disposal. But they had no method, and would take no advice."
"Well," I said, "these seem to me to be rather extreme steps. You know----"