Be seated, signori," I said to them, "and take one of these cigars.

My boy is a singer, and you would not hurt his voice by taking him out so early on this raw morning.

Sit down, Nino, and ask these gentlemen what they desire." They all sat down, somewhat sullenly, and the gendarmes' sabres clanked on the brick floor.
"What do you wish from me ?" asked Nino, who was not much moved after the first surprise.
"We regret to say," answered the man in plain clothes, "that we are here to arrest you." "May I inquire on what charge ?" I asked.

"But first let me fill your glasses.

Dry throats make surly answers, as the proverb says." They drank.