“His quarters have been changed,” was the reply.
For a moment Claude trembled, then calmly continued—
“Who gave the order?”
“Monsieur D——.” This was the inspector’s name.
On the following night the inspector, Monsieur D——, went his rounds as usual; Claude, who had perceived him from the distance, rose, and hastened to raise his woollen cap and button his grey woollen vest to the throat—considered a mark of respect to superiors in prison discipline.
“Sir,” said Claude, as the inspector was about to pass him, “has Albin really been quartered elsewhere?”
“Yes,” replied the inspector.
“Sir, I cannot live without him. You know the rations are insufficient for me, and Albin divided his portion with me. Could you not manage to let him resume his old place near me?”
“Impossible, the order cannot be revoked.”
“By whom was it given?”