'Not entirely, but I'd expect an Irish democrat would range him under the Stars and Stripes.' 'And I might have expected that the natural place for an Irish rebel to have ranged himself was on the side of the "rebels," as they were called. But to cut that matter short, it was very much a question of locality with most Irishmen.' 'I am satisfied. Go on.' 'There is not far to go now. I'm nearly at the end of my tether. I got a captain's command in the cavalry, served under General Stuart, and left a colonel, but broken-down in health, spirits and purse, like most of the noble fellows who strove to lift on high the bonnie blue flag. Fortunately I had secured some money behind me here in Paris before I had left for America--I had always an eye to the main chance in my campaigning, and had been able to save enough to sign myself _rentier_--my annuity had been accumulating in my absence, and I found myself comparatively well off. I have been gathering health in the two years since, and now I sometimes itch for work again. I should embark for Mexico, to join the guerrillas, but that I scruple fighting against my old comrades of Africa, the Crimea, and Italy. Sentimental, isn't it?' 'No; on the contrary, a quite healthy feeling, and I respect you for it,' said O'Hara. 'Well, I have told you my history.' 'Without telling me your name.' 'You knew that already. I dropped it the other night casually in the heat of conversation.' 'And, pray, how did you discover mine?' 'Nothing simpler in the world. You remember the famous old coat of yours that the dog carried from the Morgue. Your last card fell out of it.' 'How did you know it was my card?' 'It was wrapped in tissue-paper. Men are not in the habit of keeping their neighbours' cards with so much care.' O'Hara gave a long low whistle. 'And now that I have told you so much about _my_self, will you answer me a question about _your_self?' resumed O'Hoolohan. 'You know my conditions.' 'Well, then, why were you so poor when I first met you?' 'I will answer you truly. Because I haven't self-control and firmness of mind enough to keep money when I get it--in a word, because I'm an Irishman. I receive a monthly allowance, and, as I wrote to a friend the other day, the first week in the month I am the King of Yvetot, the second comes good resolution on the heel of terrible reaction, the third is my week of work and philosophy, and the fourth----' 'Aye, the fourth?' 'Why, in the fourth I generally think of throwing myself off the Pont Neuf.' 'Ha! and I came upon you at the close of your fourth week?' 'That's just it.'