to jump into a second-class compartment. Here, to my astonishment, I found my schoolfellow, Corporal Lormand, also in civilian attire; I knew that he had no leave, and as we had been great chums at school, I did not hesitate to remove my false beard and blue spectacles, which were a great discomfort to me. "Well I never!" exclaimed Lormand when he recognised me. "Your disguise is so good," he added, "that I should never have known you. But how is it that you are going to Paris without leave?" "I might put the same question to you," I replied, "as we seem to be both in the same boat." We chatted pleasantly until we reached Paris, where we parted company--not, however, without having arranged to lunch together the next day. I returned to my garrison town by the last Sunday train and found the _Adjudant_, to whom I had wired, waiting for me outside the barracks, so that I should walk in unquestioned. He told me that everything was all right, and that nobody had noticed my absence, so I went to my Sergeant-major's room to change my clothes. The next morning, as we were assembled for dismounted drill, de Cormet called me to him. "You went to Paris yesterday without leave," he said. "No, Sergeant," I replied. "I tell you that you went to Paris yesterday without leave, and what's more, in civilian attire." "You are making a mistake, Sergeant," I again said. "Didn't you see Decle?" he then asked, turning to Corporal Lormand. "Yes, Sergeant, I saw him," replied the latter. "What have you to say to that?" asked de Cormet. "Nothing, Sergeant." "Very well," he went on, "I will send you to the prison at once"; and forthwith he had me marched off by the Corporal of the Guard. I need not say that Sergeant de Cormet had absolutely no right to send me to prison, but knowing that the Captain would always endorse whatever he did, he never hesitated to give us punishments far in excess of those he was entitled to inflict. At breakfast time, after he had dismissed the _Volontaires_, he came to the prison, where he found me alone. "Now I have come to speak to you, Decle," he said. "I have not yet reported the matter either to the Lieutenant or to the Captain, and if you will tell me the truth I promise you that you shall not be punished. I am fully aware that you went to Paris in civilian attire, with leave from your Sergeant-major, and I believe with the _Adjudant's_ knowledge, but we shall leave the latter out of the question. Now if you will make a declaration in the presence of the Captain and another witness, saying that you have been to Paris with leave from your Sergeant-major, you shall not be punished." "Will you allow me to think over your offer, Sergeant?" I asked. "Yes," he said; "I will release you now, and give you till eleven o'clock to make up your mind. You will then come to my room and tell me what you have decided."