80 STORIES FROM DAUDET

want my flag.’ At last a window
opened.

‘It is you, Hornus!’

‘Yes, my colonel, I

‘All the flags are at the arsenal, you
have only to go there, and they will
give you a receipt.’

‘A receipt! What for?’

‘Those are the Marshal’s orders.’

‘But, colone ?

‘Be—e quiet,’ and the window was
shut again.

Old Hornus reeled like a drunken
man. ‘A receipt, a receipt,’ he kept
repeating mechanically. At last he
began to walk away, only understand-
ing one thing, that the flag was at the
arsenal, and that he must see it again
at any price.

?

 

 

Vv

The gates of the arsenal were wide
open to let out the Prussian waggons
which were arranged in readiness round
the courtyard. Hornus on entering