He was moneyless, hatless, clad in outer garments only, his inner ones having gone to make rope. As the morning advanced, people on the road stared at him with curiosity. Near Charenton he stepped aside to let a post-carriage pass towards Paris. To his surprise, the occupant of the carriage, having observed him in passing, thrust a good-natured face out of the window, ordered the postilion to stop, and called to Dick: "My friend, you look wet!" "I _am_ wet," replied Dick, who had not moved since the carriage had gone by. "Haven't I seen you somewhere before?" asked the gentleman in the carriage. "The same question was on the tip of my tongue," said Dick. "But I have already answered it." And then he spoke in English. "Good morning, Lord George!" "Why, damme if it isn't Wetheral!" Lord George Winston also spoke English now, and a very pleased and friendly expression came over his face. "Yes, it is Wetheral, and in much the same condition as when he first had the honor of meeting you." "Egad, so it seems! Come, then, let me play the Good Samaritan again!" "I don't see how I can refuse you, my lord," said Dick, looking down at himself. "Good! Wilkins, open the door for Mr. Wetheral." "A moment, my lord. Where are you going?" "To Paris, of course." "Then I thank you, but I have important business in the opposite direction." "Oh, come into the carriage! I shall not be in Paris long. I've come up from Fontainebleau, to engage a secretary. Then I am going to make a tour of France and Germany." "Do you want a secretary? I am sure I should make a good secretary." "Why, you are a gentleman." "Do you want an hostler for a secretary, then?" "Why, if you really wish it, the post is open to you." "Then I accept it on the spot." "Then I have no need to go to Paris. Get in, Mr. Secretary." Dick obeyed with alacrity, Lord George ordered the postilion to turn around, and soon they were whirling through Charenton, on the road to Melun, Dick telling Lord George his story, and receiving the latter's unsolicited promise to back whatever assertions might become necessary to show that his lordship's secretary was not the man who had escaped from the Bastile. CHAPTER XVIII. DICK GIVES A SPECIMEN OF AMERICAN SHOOTING. But Dick's appearance was soon so changed as to remove fear of recognition, thanks to the equipment with which Lord George provided him, as advanced payment, out of his lordship's own wardrobe,--an equipment for a fine gentleman rather than for a secretary. The transformation was begun at Melun, whence the travellers went speedily to Fontainebleau, where a barber and hair-dresser completed it. Dick was then told that his duties would consist in writing letters of travel that his lordship had promised to send to England. His lordship gave the name to which these epistles were to be directed. Dick echoed back the name, in astonishment: "Miss Celestine Thorpe! Why, it seems to me I've heard--"