"I'll tell you what you can do," said Gaillard. "Go with me to my house, 15 Rue des Mathurins, and let me fetch the part so that I can study it while in prison; then, if I should be released soon I shall be prepared to play the part."
"It's against our orders," said the tall gendarme. "We must take you at once to the Luxembourg."
"It's very near here," persisted Gaillard, "and I will read one or two of the funniest speeches while we are there."
"It will not take us more than fifteen minutes," interposed the stout gendarme, looking at his mate.
"And when I am released," said Gaillard persuasively, "and play the part, I'll send you each an admission."
"Well," said the tall gendarme, "we'll go."
"You see," explained Gaillard as they walked off in the direction of the Rue des Mathurins, "my arrest is a mistake, that's clear. Whoever heard of an actor being mixed up in politics!"
"That's so," remarked the short gendarme.
"Yes," admitted the long one, "I have arrested many a suspect, and you're the first actor. But I have my duty to perform, and if the warrant calls for an actor, an actor has to come."
"Of course," agreed Gaillard, "you are a man of high principle, as any one can see."