About three o'clock in the morning Pichegru went back to the inn, for Bauer had asked as a favor that he be allowed to lodge the general. The finest apartments in the inn had been prepared, and while Pichegru was walking about the town the staircase had been decorated with flags, wreaths, and ornamental pieces. In the dining-room a table with twenty-five covers had been laid, and the windows and doors decorated with greens and flowers, for the general and his staff. Pichegru, as we have seen at Arbois, was perfectly indifferent to triumphal demonstrations, but this time he looked upon it as a Republican love-feast. The general was accompanied by all the high dignitaries of the town who had been the first to yield to him. At the door, as Stephan was preparing to slip away unnoticed, he caught him by the arm. "Stephan," said he, "I have always believed in the proverb that short reckonings make long friends. Now I have a double reckoning to settle with you." "Oh! that can be done easily, general. Will you grant me two requests?" said Stephan. "With pleasure." "First I ask for an invitation to supper." "For yourself?" "Oh! general, you know that I am only a spy." "In the eyes of the world; but in mine--" "I am myself in your eyes, and that satisfies me; let me be what I seem to the world. I care nothing for what it thinks of me, but only for my revenge." "All right; and the second request?" "Is that you will give a toast." "To whom?" "You will see when you give it." "But in order to make it--" "Here it is all written out." Pichegru was about to read it, but Stephan stopped him. "Read it when you give the toast," he said. Pichegru put the paper in his pocket. "And whom shall I invite?" "A great citizen--Prosper Bauer." "The landlord of the inn?" "Yes." "What has he done that is so fine?" "You will see when you read the toast." "Will you always be so mysterious?" "My power lies in mystery." "You know that we attack to-morrow." "Do you need any information about their position?" "You must be tired." "I am never tired." "Do what you please; anything you do will be well done, unless you are caught." "When can I bring you my report?" "Any time. If you are never tired, I at least never sleep." "Au revoir, general." "Au revoir." Then turning to the group that had stood aside while he was talking with Stephan, he looked vainly around for the landlord of the Golden Lion. "Charles," he said, "have the goodness to find our host, citizen Bauer, and ask him for me to sup with us. Take no refusal, and accept no excuse." Charles bowed and went in search of Prosper Bauer. Pichegru went upstairs and the rest of the staff followed him. He placed the mayor on his right, the deputy-mayor at his left, and left the seat opposite him for the landlord of the Golden Lion. At length Charles appeared, almost dragging the embarrassed innkeeper after him.