"Why should they do that, sir?" "To keep me out of my rights. It is the English Government that has done it. Of course, you know who I am." "No, sir, I don't think I do." "Look well at me!" and the dark man threw himself back in his chair for inspection. "I am afraid I don't recognize you, monsieur," said Ben. "Bah! where are your eyes?" said the other, contemptuously. "I am Napoleon Bonaparte!" "But I thought you died at St. Helena," said Ben. "Quite a mistake, I assure you. The English Government so asserted, but it was a deception. They wished my memory to die out among my faithful French. They buried my effigy, but smuggled me off in a vessel late at night. They placed me here, and here they mean to keep me--if they can. But some day I shall escape; I shall re-enter France; I shall summon all to my banner, and at the head of a great army I shall enter Paris. Do you know what I will do then?" "What will you do, sir?" asked Ben, with some curiosity. "I shall descend upon England with an army of five millions of men," said the dark man, his eyes flashing, "and burn all her cities and towns." "That will be rather severe, won't it?" asked Ben. "She deserves it; but I may do worse." "How can that be?" "Do you see that man over on the other side of the table--the short, red-haired man?" "Yes, I see him." "He is a chemist and has invented a compound a thousand times more powerful than dynamite. I am negotiating for it, and, if I succeed, I mean to blow the whole island out of the water. What do you think of that, eh?" he continued, triumphantly. "I think in that case I shall keep away from England," answered Ben, keeping as straight a face as he could. "Ah, you will do well." When dinner was over, the boarders passed out of the room, Ben among them. He was destined not to go out quietly. Suddenly a wild-looking woman darted toward him and threw her arms around his neck, exclaiming: "At last I have found you, my son, my son!" Ben struggled to release himself, assisted by Francois, who did not scruple to use considerable force. "None of your tricks, madam!" he cried, angrily. "Will you take from me my boy?" she exclaimed, piteously. "There is some mistake. I am not your son," said Ben. The woman shook her head sadly. "He disowns his poor mother," she said, mournfully. On the whole, Ben was rather glad to return to his chamber. "I don't like my fellow-boarders," he thought. "I sha'n't stay in the _maison de fous_ any longer than I am obliged to." CHAPTER XXVII. A MIDNIGHT ESCAPE. For three days Ben passed a dull, uniform existence, being most of the time confined to his chamber. To a boy of active temperament it was most irksome. If he only had something to read, the hours would pass more swiftly. Fortunately, on the second day, he bethought himself of Francois, who seemed friendly. "Francois," he said, "can't you get me something to read?"