'VIVE MONSEIGNEUR! Long live the little Bishop of Luchon! I might have known it, too.' 'Don't make too sure!' the man answered spitefully.

Then he went on, 'I have something else for you.

A friend of yours left it at the gate,' and he handed me a packet.
'Quite so!' I said, leading his rascally face aright.

'And you kept it as long as you dared--as long as you thought I should hang, you knave! Was not that so?
But there, do not lie to me.

Tell me instead which of my friends left it.' For, to confess the truth, I had not so many friends at this time and ten good crowns--the packet contained no less a sum--argued a pretty staunch friend, and one of whom a man might reasonably be proud.
The knave sniggered maliciously.