Tall and strong for his age, he had bright intelligent eyes, and features expressive of watchfulness and cunning.

The presence of the magistrate did not seem to intimidate him in the least.
"Let us hear, my boy," said M.Daburon, "what you know." "Well, sir, a few days ago, on Sunday last, I saw a man at Madame Lerouge's garden-gate." "At what time of the day ?" "Early in the morning.

I was going to church, to serve in the second mass." "Well," continued the magistrate, "and this man was tall and sunburnt, and dressed in a blouse ?" "No, sir, on the contrary, he was short, very fat, and old." "You are sure you are not mistaken ?" "Quite sure," replied the urchin, "I saw him close face to face, for I spoke to him." "Tell me, then, what occurred ?" "Well, sir, I was passing when I saw this fat man at the gate.

He appeared very much vexed, oh! but awfully vexed! His face was red, or rather purple, as far as the middle of his head, which I could see very well, for it was bare, and had very little hair on it." "And did he speak to you first ?" "Yes, sir, he saw me, and called out, 'Halloa! youngster!' as I came up to him, and he asked me if I had got a good pair of legs?
I answered yes.

Then he took me by the ear, but without hurting me, and said, 'Since that is so, if you will run an errand for me, I will give you ten sous.