With this intention they rose very early and started for a more respectable quarter of the city.

On turning the corner they were amazed to meet the gentlemanly Corporal, who was trying the night before to slit their throats.

He wanted to know where they were going.

They plausibly assured him that "as they could not sleep in their lodgings on account of fleas they had decided to take a mouthful of fresh air." "Well" responded the Corporal, "you better take a mouthful of something else.

Come with me and have a 'petit verre'." They accompanied him to the cafe and pretended to enjoy themselves, which however, they were far from doing.