retailers of the marvelous, the sober chronicler is bound to forego
such advantage as he may reap from an odd-sounding name, on which many
ephemeral successes are founded in these days. Wherefore the present
writer gives the following succinct statement of the reasons which
induced him to adopt the unlikely sounding title and sub-title.

In accordance with old-established custom, _Ferragus_ is a name taken
by the head of a guild of _Devorants_, _id est Devoirants_ or
journeymen. Every chief on the day of his election chooses a pseudonym
and continues a dynasty of _Devorants_ precisely as a pope changes his
name on his accession to the triple tiara; and as the Church has its
Clement XIV., Gregory XII., Julius II., or Alexander VI., so the
workmen have their Trempe-la-Soupe IX., Ferragus XXII., Tutanus XIII.,
or Masche-Fer IV. Who are the _Devorants_, do you ask?

The _Devorants_ are one among many tribes of _compagnons_ whose origin
can be traced to a great mystical association formed among the workmen
of Christendom for the rebuilding of the Temple at Jerusalem.
_Compagnonnage_ is still a popular institution in France. Its
traditions still exert a power over little enlightened minds, over men
so uneducated that they have not learned to break their oaths; and the
various organizations might be turned to formidable account even yet
if any rough-hewn man of genius arose to make use of them, for his
instruments would be, for the most part, almost blind.

Wherever journeymen travel, they find a hostel for _compagnons_ which
has been in existence in the town from time immemorial. The _obade_,
as they call it, is a kind of lodge with a "Mother" in charge, an old,
half-gypsy wife who has nothing to lose. She hears all that goes on in
the countryside; and, either from fear or from long habit, is devoted