As they disappeared Napoleon called after them. 

 "Send me that boy at the door. Lights," he cried, as the young officer, not waiting for the order to be repeated, promptly entered the inner room and saluted.  "The maps on the table, bring them here, and the table, too," commanded the Emperor. 

 Even as the lights which were placed on the table dispelled the dusk of the room, so something had dispelled the gloom of the great man's soul. For a moment he looked almost young again. The gray pallor left his cheeks. Fire sparkled in his eyes. 

 "Not yet—not yet," he muttered, spreading the maps upon the table. "We will have one more try with fortune. My star is low on the horizon, but it has not set yet." 

 "Nor shall it set, Sire, while I and my comrades live," returned Marteau. 

 "You are right," said the Emperor.  "You stand to me for France. Your spirit typifies the spirit of my soldiery, does it not?" 

 "Theirs is even greater than mine, Sire," was the prompt answer. 

 "That's well. Do you know the country hereabouts?" 

 "I was born at Aumenier." 

 "Let me see," said the Emperor, "the village lies beyond Sézanne?" 

 "Yes, Sire." 

 "In an opening in the great woods beyond the marshes of St. Gond," continued the other, studying the map, "there is a château there. Are you by any chance of the ancient house of Aumenier?" 

 "My father was a warden on the estates of the last marquis." 

 "Good. Do you know that country?" 

 "I have hunted over every rod of it as a boy, Sire." 

 "I must have news," said the Emperor, "information, definite tidings. I want to know where Blücher is; where his several army corps are. Can I trust so young a head as yours with great matters?" 

 "Tortures could not wring from me anything you may confide, your majesty," said the young man resolutely. 

 "I believe you," said the Emperor, looking at him keenly and reading him like a book.  "Look. Before 

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