I stood still, and they surrounded me.

I explained that I was an Englishman inhabiting Paris, and that I had come out to take a walk.

My papers were brought out and narrowly inspected.

My passport, that charter of the Civis Romanus, was put aside as though it had been a document of no value.

A letter from one of the authorities, which was a species of unofficial _laisser passer_, was read, and then a sort of council of war was held about what ought to be done with me.