"Hector Gaillard, actor; domicile Rue des Mathurins 15; suspect. Warrant executed by Officers Pierre Echelle and Jean Rondeau," said the tall gendarme.
The sleepy guardian turned over the pages of his book.
"Ah yes, here it is. Bring your prisoner this way, citizen gendarme."
Whereupon the stout gendarme, who had been quiet for some time, burst into tears.
"In God's name, what's the matter with him?" asked the astonished warden.
"He always does that way," said the gendarme Pierre. "'Tis his sympathetic nature. He gets very much attached to his prisoners. Cease thy tears, Jean, thou imbecile," and he cursed his brother gendarme under his breath.
Jean drew a long sob. "Adieu, my friend," he said, throwing his arms about Gaillard's neck.
"Why weepest thou?" inquired the actor pretending to be much affected.
"I am afraid they will guillotine thee, my beautiful actor, before I have laughed all the brass buttons off my coat at the play."
"Courage, my friend," replied Gaillard; "I trust for thy sake that I may live to act in many plays. Adieu, my gendarme," and he was led away to a cell.