Perhaps it is because it is not true." In the height of his triumph Michel Ardan could not escape any of the annoyances incidental to a celebrated man.

Managers of entertainments wished to exhibit him.

Barnum offered him a million dollars to show him as a curious animal in the different towns of the United States.
Still, though he refused to satisfy public curiosity in that way, his portraits went all over the world, and occupied the place of honour in albums; proofs were made of all sizes from life size to medallions.
Every one could possess the hero in all positions--head, bust, standing, full-face, profile, three-quarters, back.

Fifteen hundred thousand copies were taken, and it would have been a fine occasion to get money by relics, but he did not profit by it.

If he had sold his hairs for a dollar apiece there would have remained enough to make his fortune! To tell the truth, this popularity did not displease him.