His wife coming in from the kitchen, he burrowed in the litter upon the table until he found an open letter, which he flung toward her.

"The Commissary threatens again, damn him!" he said between smoke puffs.

"It seems that t'other night, when I was in my cups at the tavern, Le Neve and the fellow who has Ware Creek parish--I forget his name--must needs come riding by.

I was dicing with Paris.

Hugon held the stakes.