I had been myself to the little stable next door, where I had kept my donkey, and visited him daily since my arrival, and I had made sure that I could have him at a moment's notice by putting on the cumbrous saddle.

Moreover, I had secretly made a bundle of my effects, and had succeeded in taking it unobserved to the stall, and I tied it to the pommel.

I also told my landlady that I was going away in the morning with the young gentleman who had visited me, and who, I said, was the engineer who was going to make a new road to the Serra.

This was not quite true; but lies that hurt no one are not lies at all, as you all know, and the curiosity of the old woman was satisfied.

I also paid for my lodging, and gave her a franc for herself, which pleased her very much.