My gauntlet." The sweep of the hand fascinated him.

"Are your ears like the sailors' of Ulysses, filled with wax?
I am asking you to pick up my gauntlet." As he stooped to obey the command, a laugh sounded behind him, and he knew that he had been tricked.

The little musketeer had vanished.

For a moment he was disturbed.

In vain he searched the gauntlet for some distinguishing sign.