precipice.  He was a present to me, and I think that I deserved it, for in this way a father sought to repay me for his daughter’s life.  She is one of the wealthiest heiresses in Europe, and she was at the brink of death when I found her on the road to Savoy.  If I were to tell you how I cured that young lady, you would take me for a quack.  Aha! that is the sound of the bells on the horses and the rumbling of a wagon; it is coming along this way; let us see, perhaps that is Vigneau himself; and if so, take a good look at him!”

In another moment the officer saw a team of four huge horses, like those which are owned by prosperous farmers in Brie.  The harness, the little bells, and the knots of braid in their manes, were clean and smart.  The great wagon itself was painted bright blue, and perched aloft in it sat a stalwart, sunburned youth, who shouldered his whip like a gun and whistled a tune.

“No,” said Benassis, “that is only the wagoner.  But see how the master’s prosperity in business is reflected by all his belongings, even by the carter’s wagon!  Is it not a sign of a capacity for business not very often met with in remote country places?”

“Yes, yes, it all looks very smart indeed,” the officer answered.

“Well, Vigneau has two more wagons and teams like that one, and he has a small pony besides for business purposes, for he does trade over a wide area.  And only four years ago he had nothing in the world!  Stay, that is a mistake—­he had some debts.  But let us go in.”

“Is Mme. Vigneau in the house?” Benassis asked of the young wagoner.

“She is out in the garden, sir; I saw her just now by the hedge down yonder; I will go and tell her that you are here.”

Genestas followed Benassis across a wide open space with a hedge about it.  In one corner various heaps of clay had been piled up, destined for tiles and pantiles, and a stack of brushwood and logs (fuel for the kiln no doubt) lay in another part of the enclosure.  Farther away some workmen were pounding chalk stones and tempering the clay in a space enclosed by hurdles.  The tiles, both round and square, were made under the great elms opposite the gateway, in a vast green arbor bounded by the roofs of the drying-shed, and near this last the yawning mouth of the kiln was visible.  Some long-handled shovels lay about the worn cider path.  A second row of buildings had been erected parallel with these.  There was a sufficiently wretched dwelling which housed the family, and some outbuildings—­sheds and stables and a barn.  The cleanliness that predominated throughout, and the thorough repair in which everything was kept, spoke well for the vigilance of the master’s eyes.  Some poultry and pigs wandered at large over the field.