They would have said this, undoubtedly; for the only consolation of villains is to make people think that everybody is like themselves. And then how often should I reproach myself for this man's death, in times of misfortune or in my old age, when I should not have a minute's peace! How often should I have said that it was a judgment of the Lord, that it was on account of this deserter. So I wanted to do immediately all that I could, and by six o'clock in the morning I was in my old shop in the market with my lantern, selecting epaulettes and my best clothes. I put them in a napkin and took them to Harmantier at daybreak. The special council of war, which was called--I do not know why--the _Ventose_ council, was to meet at nine o'clock. It was composed of a major, president, four captains, and two lieutenants. Monbrun, the captain of the foreign legion, was judge-advocate, and Brigadier Duphot recorder. It was astonishing how the whole city knew about it beforehand, and that by seven o'clock the Nicaises, and Pigots, and Vinatiers, etc., had left their rickety quarters, and had already filled the whole mayoralty, the arch, the stairway, and the large room above, laughing, whistling, stamping, as if it were a bear-fight at Klein's inn, the "Ox." You do not see things like that nowadays, thank God! men have become more gentle and humane. But after all these wars, a deserter met with less pity than a fox caught in a trap, or a wolf led by the muzzle. As I saw all this, my courage failed; all my admiration for Burguet's talents could not keep me from thinking: The man is lost! Who can save him, when this crowd has come on purpose to see him condemned to death, and led to the Glacière bastion? I was overwhelmed by the thought. I went trembling into Harmantier's little room, and said to him: "This is for the deserter; take it to him from me." "All right!" said he. I asked him if he had confidence in Burguet. He shrugged his shoulders, and said: "We must have examples." The stamping outside continued, and when I went out there was a great whistling in the balcony, the arch, and everywhere, and shouts of "Moses! hey, Moses! this way!" But I did not turn my head, and went home very sad. Sorlé handed me a summons to appear as a witness before the court-martial, which a gendarme had just brought; and till nine o'clock I sat meditating behind the stove, trying to think of some way of escape for the prisoner. Sâfel was playing with the children; Zeffen and Sorlé had gone down to continue our sales. A few minutes before nine I started for the townhouse, which was already so crowded that, had it not been for the guard at the door, and the gendarmes scattered within the building, the witnesses could hardly have got in. Just as I got there, Captain Monbrun was beginning to read his report. Burguet sat opposite, with his head leaning on his hand.