the neck.

"This was a keen as well as a cautious captain, and this time he did
not pretend to have noticed the incident, but kept on munching his
fruit. While doing so he squinted up at the tree out of the corner of
one eye. He knew he was too far from the tree for the last apple to
have fallen on him. While he was taking a cautious look another apple
came out from the foliage of the tree and fell toward him, but the
officer, stepping slightly to one side, avoided being hit by it.

"He deliberately drew his revolver from its holster and, turning,
aimed at the tree.

"'I think I can shoot the apples off easier than I can shake them
down,' he announced in a loud tone.

"'Don't shoot, monsieur l'Officer,' cried a voice from the tree.

"'What! Some one up there?'

"'Yes, yes. It is I, Lucien,' was the reply from the tree.

"'Come down, Lucien. I would like to have a look at you,' ordered the
captain.

"A very young boy, red of face and very much frightened, came sliding
down the trunk of the tree and landed on all fours at its foot. The
officer eyed him sternly.

"'What do you mean, boy, by bombarding me with apples?' he demanded.