latched the gorget-piece about his neck.

Struck almost speechless, I watched what he was doing--thinking only
how ugly he looked.

Suddenly there was a sharp sound--as if a spring had
snapped--and--crack!--down fell the visor; and there was my uncle, with
his head in an iron cage, gesticulating and swearing like a pagan!

I could contain myself no longer, and burst into a roar of laughter; for
my uncle, stumpy, fat, and rubicund, presented an irresistibly comic
appearance.

[Illustration: "THREATENINGLY HE CAME TOWARDS ME."]

Threateningly, he came towards me.

"The hinges!--the hinges, fool!" he yelled.

I could not see his face, but I felt that it was red to bursting.

"When you have done laughing, idiot!" he cried.

But the helmet swayed so oddly on his shoulders, his voice came from out
it in such strange tones, that the more he gesticulated, the more he
yelled and threatened me, the louder I laughed.

At that moment the clock of the Hôtel-de-Ville, striking five, was
heard.