"By the right of a chief over his subalterns. I am Poulailler."
The poor family fell on their knees, and asked what they could do for him.
"Give me a light," said Pierre, "that I may get down into the street without breaking my neck."
This reminds one of the answer which Rousseau gave to the Duc de Praslin, whose Danish dog, as it was running before the carriage, had upset the peripatetic philosopher.
"What can I do for you?" said the duke to the fallen author of La Nouvelle Heloïse, whose person he did not know.
"You can tie up your dog," replied Jean-Jacques, gathering himself up, and walking away.
Poulailler having done his best to render a worthy family happy, went his way, to inflict condign punishment on the poltroon who had so readily given up the purse and the watches.
The adventures of this accomplished robber were so numerous and marvelous, that it is rather difficult to make a selection. One evening, at the bal de l'Opéra, he made the acquaintance of a charming woman, who, at first, all indignation, was at length induced to listen to his proposal, that he should see her home; and promised to admit him, "if Monseigneur should not be there."
"But who is this Monseigneur?" inquired Pierre.
"Don't ask," replied the fair lady.