At first I had feared to light my candle lest I should make a mark of myself, but now, after cracking my shin over a box, and catching my spurs in some canvas, I thought the bolder course the wiser.  I lit it, therefore, and then I advanced with long strides, my sword in my hand.  ‘Come out, you rascal!’ I cried.  ’Nothing can save you.  You will at last meet with your deserts.’

I held my candle high, and presently I caught a glimpse of the man’s head staring at me over a barrel.  He had a gold chevron on his black cap, and the expression of his face told me in an instant that he was an officer and a man of refinement.

‘Monsieur,’ he cried, in excellent French, ’I surrender myself on a promise of quarter.  But if I do not have your promise, I will then sell my life as dearly as I can.’

‘Sir,’ said I, ’a Frenchman knows how to treat an unfortunate enemy.  Your life is safe.’  With that he handed his sword over the top of the barrel, and I bowed with the candle on my heart.  ’Whom have I the honour of capturing?’ I asked.

‘I am the Count Boutkine, of the Emperor’s own Don Cossacks,’ said he.  ’I came out with my troop to reconnoitre Senlis, and as we found no sign of your people we determined to spend the night here.’

‘And would it be an indiscretion,’ I asked, ’if I were to inquire how you came into the back cellar?’

‘Nothing more simple,’ said he.  ’It was our intention to start at early dawn.  Feeling chilled after dressing, I thought that a cup of wine would do me no harm, so I came down to see what I could find.  As I was rummaging about, the house was suddenly carried by assault so rapidly that by the time I had climbed the stairs it was all over.  It only remained for me to save myself, so I came down here and hid myself in the back cellar, where you have found me.’

I thought of how old Bouvet had behaved under the same conditions, and the tears sprang to my eyes as I contemplated the glory of France.  Then I had to consider what I should do next.  It was clear that this Russian Count, being in the back cellar while we were in the front one, had not heard the sounds which would have told him that the house was once again in the hands of his own allies.  If he should once understand this the tables would be turned, and I should be his prisoner instead of he being mine.  What was I to do?  I was at my wits’ end, when suddenly there came to me an idea so brilliant that I could not but be amazed at my own invention.

‘Count Boutkine,’ said I, ‘I find myself in a most difficult position.’

‘And why?’ he asked.

‘Because I have promised you your life.’

His jaw dropped a little.

‘You would not withdraw your promise?’ he cried.

‘If the worst comes to the worst I can die in your defence,’ said I; ‘but the difficulties are great.’

‘What is it, then?’ he asked.

‘I will be frank with you,’ said I.  ’You must know that our fellows, and especially the Poles, are so incensed against the Cossacks that the mere sight of the uniform drives them mad.  They precipitate themselves instantly upon the wearer and tear him limb from limb.  Even their officers cannot restrain them.’