'No, Sire,' said the soldier, eagerly. 'I was in the ambulance when you distributed the medals.'
'Suppose I were to give you the medal now?' said Napoleon, looking fixedly at the soldier.
'Oh, Sire!' said the man, almost leaping up in his delight. 'I should be quite well then, I know.'
'Well, then, I give it you,' said the Emperor: 'but on one condition: you must let the surgeon cut off that leg.'
'Just as you order me, Sire; if you wish my head cut off I am ready! Only I can never serve you again, if I have a leg off.'
'How do you know that, you foolish fellow?' replied the Emperor, smiling. 'Make haste and get well, and I appoint you gate-keeper of my castle of Rambouillet.'
The soldier said no more. His heart was too full of joy and gratitude, for that was indeed a post of honour.
Some months later the Castle of Rambouillet had a new gate-keeper, an old wooden-legged sergeant of Sapeurs, wearing the coveted medal on his well-brushed uniform!
X.