“Sir,” said the good man, “I have in no way flouted the authority of the guard.”
“Come, come,” said the Emperor, “how can you deny it, when you have even dared to strike the captain?”
“Sir, if I did it, it was at his own request,” replied the man coolly.
“What do you mean?”
“Sir, I could only obtain audience of your Majesty after having promised to give half my reward to the captain. Did I not receive two blows as reward, and ought I not to give him one of them? That is the whole matter; let your Majesty judge for himself.”
On hearing these words the Emperor turned to his courtiers and said, “I believe this peasant to be blessed with more than ordinary intelligence, and that he could render us great service in State affairs.”
Our hero returned home, and after a few days was summoned to the Court to take up an important office.
The captain of the guard, on the contrary, was dismissed in disgrace.
