And the Arethusa? Well, he had a long, sometimes a trying, interview in the back kitchen. The Maréchal-des-logis, who was a very handsome man, and I believe both intelligent and honest, had no clear opinion on the case. He thought the Commissary had done wrong, but he did not wish to get his subordinates into trouble; and he proposed this, that, and the other, to all of which the Arethusa (with a growing sense of his position) demurred.
'In short,' suggested the Arethusa, 'you want to wash your hands of further responsibility? Well, then, let me go to Paris.'
The Maréchal-des-logis looked at his watch.
'You may leave,' said he, 'by the ten o'clock train for Paris.'
And at noon the next day the travellers were telling their misadventure in the dining-room at Siron's.
