"'Take care, Jules,' said I, 'the citizen may be a fire-eater--some devil of a fellow who spends half his days in a shooting gallery.' "'_Parbleu_, he doesn't look much like a fire-eater; but perhaps monsieur is an editor--an author?' suggested Jules, with another long puff. "'Exactly,' said I; 'he is an author.' "'Of what?' "'The famous _Voyage à Saint Cloud par mer, et retour par terre_, taking notes for a new edition.' "This sally produced a roar of laughter, on which the citizen suddenly folded his paper and prepared to rise, as we were now close to St. Cloud. "'Don't forget to record, M. l'Editeur, that last week I pulled a charming young girl out of the river close by.' "'Trust you didn't pull her hair up by the roots, Jules,' said one. "'Or rumple her dress?' said another. "'Fie!' I exclaimed; 'but you will give us each a copy, M. l'Editeur?' "'On receiving your cards, messieurs,' replied the other with a grim smile. "'Here is mine--and mine--and mine,' said we, thrusting them upon him. "'And here is mine' said he, presenting to Jules an embossed card, on which was engraved 'Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul.' "We remained as if paralysed, unable either to speak or move; but the justly incensed First Consul, after quitting the galiote, which was now moored alongside the quay, said to a gentleman whose uniform proclaimed him a general officer, and who seemed to be waiting there,-- "'Bessières, take the swords of these gentlemen, who are to be placed under close arrest, and send the colonel of the 24th Chasseurs to me instantly.' "His massive features were pale as marble; his keen dark eyes shot forth a lurid glare; his lips were compressed with concealed fury, and we all trembled before the terrible glance of this little man in long boots. Ah, mon Dieu! what a moment it was! How foolish, how triste, how crestfallen we all looked. "'Your name, monsieur?' said he suddenly to me. "'Eugene de Ribeaupierre,' said I, with a profound salute. "'Any relation to the officer who bears that name, and who was captain-lieutenant in the Regiment de La Fere?' "'I am his only son, monseigneur.' "'That reply has saved you and your companions from degradation and imprisonment; but still you must be taught, messieurs, that to protect, and not to insult the citizen, is the first duty of a soldier. To your quarters, messieurs, and report yourselves under arrest until further orders!'