Pray be seated." Paul sat down on a bench, and examined the man who had just spoken with some curiosity.

M.Mascarin's partner was a tall and athletic man, evidently enjoying the best of health, and wearing a large moustache elaborately waxed and pointed.

His whole appearance betokened the old soldier.

He had, so he asserted, served in the cavalry, and it was there that he had acquired the _soubriquet_ by which he was known--Beaumarchef, his original name being David.

He was about forty-five, but was still considered a very good-looking fellow.