"Citizen," said the captain, "if you are going, as you said, to General Pichegru's headquarters, that is your road. A good journey to you, and try to become a good soldier; you will be in a fine school." Charles tried to speak, but his lips refused to form the words. He looked entreatingly at the prisoner. "Captain," said the latter, "will you grant me a favor?" "If it is in my power to do so." "It only depends upon you." "What is it?" "Well, it may be a weakness, but it will remain between ourselves, will it not? When I die I should like to embrace a compatriot. We are both children of the Jura, this young boy and I; our families live in Besançon, and are on a friendly footing. Some day he will go home, and tell how he met me by chance, how he followed me up to the last moment, and saw me die." The captain looked inquiringly at the boy. He was weeping. "Why," he said, "if it can give you both any pleasure--" "I do not suppose that it will give him much pleasure, but it will please me." "I see no objection, and, since you, the person most interested, ask it--" "It is granted," said the prisoner. "Granted," replied the captain. The troop, which had halted for a moment at the crossroads, now resumed its march. At the top of the little hill they saw the citadel of Auenheim. It was the goal of their sad journey. Charles drew closer to the prisoner. "You see," said the latter, "so far all goes beautifully." They went up the slope, which was very steep, although it wound around the hill. At the gate they made themselves known, and were then swallowed up in the depths of the fortress. The escort, the prisoner and Charles were left in the court while the captain in charge of the squad went to make his report to the commanding officer. In the meantime, Charles and the count improved their acquaintance, Charles in his turn giving information about his family. The captain reappeared on the doorstep in about ten minutes. "Are you ready, citizen?" he asked the prisoner. "Whenever you are," replied the latter. "Have you anything to say?" "No; but I have a few favors to ask." "As I told you, anything in my power I will grant." "Thank you, captain." The captain came closer to the count. "We may serve under different flags," said he, "but we are still Frenchmen, and brave men recognize each other at a glance. Speak then; what do you want?" "First, I want you to take off these cords which make me look like a galley-slave." "You are right," said the captain. "Unbind the prisoner." Two men stepped forward; but Charles had already darted toward the count and freed his hands. "Ah!" exclaimed the count, stretching out his arms, and shaking himself beneath his mantle, "how good it feels to be free." "And now?" asked the captain. "I want to give the word of command." "You shall give it. And then?" "I should like to send some souvenir to my family."