"The Gentleman, astonished and alarmed at this interruption, and still more so at hearing the name of the Lieutenant of the Police mentioned, demanded to know what _Monsieur De Sartine_ wanted with him; adding, at the same time, that he never had committed any offence against the Laws, and that he could have no right to interrupt or detain him. "The Messenger declared himself perfectly ignorant of the cause of the detention; stating, at the same time, that when he had conducted him to _Monsieur De Sartine_, he should have executed his orders, which were merely ministerial. "After some further explanations, the Gentleman permitted the Officer to conduct him accordingly. _Monsieur De Sartine_ received him, with great politeness; and after requesting him to be seated, to his great astonishment, he described his portmanteau; and told him the exact sum in bills and specie which he had brought with him to Paris, and where he was to lodge, his usual time of going to bed, and a number of other circumstances, which the Gentleman had conceived could only be known to himself.--_Monsieur De Sartine_ having thus excited attention, put this extraordinary question to him--_Sir, are you a man of courage?_--The Gentleman, still more astonished at the singularity of such an interrogatory, demanded the reason why he put such a strange question, adding, at the same time, that no man ever doubted his courage. _Monsieur De Sartine_ replied,--_Sir, you are to be robbed and murdered this night!--If you are a man of courage, you must go to your hotel, and retire to rest at the usual hour: but be careful that you do not fall asleep; neither will it be proper for you to look under the bed, or into any of the closets which are in your bed-chamber_; (which he accurately described);--_you must place your portmanteau in its usual situation, near your bed, and discover no suspicion:--Leave what remains to me.--If, however, you do not feel your courage sufficient to bear you out, I will procure a person who shall personate you, and go to bed in your stead._