Why, this very convoy tells the story. We intercepted letters that told how pressing was its need. Your army is without arms, without food, without clothes."
"It still has its Emperor."
"Death!" cried the Russian impatiently. "Must we kill him in order to teach you a lesson?"
"You will not kill him while there is a soldier in France to interpose his body."
"Very heroic, doubtless," sneered the Russian, beginning to get angry.
"But you know your cause is lost."
"And if it were?"
"Be reasonable. There are many Frenchmen with the allied armies. Your rank is----?"
"I am a Major on the Emperor"s staff if you are interested to know."
"Major Marteau, I have no doubt that my interest with my Emperor, the Czar Alexander, with whom I am remotely connected--I may say I am a favorite officer in his guard--would doubtless insure you a Colonel"s commission, perhaps even that of a General of Brigade, with my gracious master, or in the army of King Louis after we have replaced him on his throne if----"
"If what?"
"If you release us, restore us to our command. Permit us to send for horses to take the place of those we have killed to take the wagons of the valuable convoy to our own army."
"And you would have me abandon my Emperor?"
"For the good of France," urged the Russian meaningly.
"Will you answer me a question, monsieur?" continued the young man after a moment"s deep thought.
"Certainly, if it be not treason to my master."
"Oh, you have views on treason, then," said the Frenchman adroitly and not giving the other time to answer he continued. "To what corps are you attached?"
"Count Sacken"s."
"And whose division?"
"General Olsuvieff"s."
"Monsieur," said the young Frenchman calmly, "it is more than probable that before to-morrow your division will be annihilated and the next day the corps of General Sacken may meet the same fate."
The Russian laughed scornfully at what seemed to him the wildest boasting.
"Are you mad?"
"Not so mad as you will be when it happens."
The Russian controlled himself with difficulty in the face of the irritating observations.
"And who will do this?" he asked, at last.
"The Emperor."
"Does he command the lightning-flash that he could hurl the thunder-bolt from Troyes?"
"Upon my word, I believe he does," laughed the Frenchman.
"This is foolish jesting, boy," broke out the Englishman. "I am a man of consideration in my own country. The lady here will bear me out. I offered you fifty pounds. I will give you five hundred if you will release us and----"
"And I offer you my--friendship," said the Countess, making a long pause before the last word.
How much of it she meant or how little no one could say. Any ruse was fair in war like this. Marteau looked at her. The color flamed to her cheek and died away. It had flamed into his cheek and died away also.
"Gentlemen," he said, "you offer me rank, money----" he paused--"friendship----" he shot a meaning glance at the young girl.
He paused again.
"Well?" said the Russian.
"Speak out," said the Englishman. "Your answer, lad?"
"I refuse."
"Don"t be a fool," roared Sir Gervaise bluntly.
"I refuse, I repeat," said Marteau. "While the Emperor lives I am his man. Not rank, not money, not friendship, not love itself even could move me. Enough, gentlemen," he continued imperiously as the two Russians and the Englishman all began to speak at once. "No more.
Such propositions are insults."
"There is another appeal which ought to be brought to your attention, young sir," said the second Russian officer when he could be heard.
"And what is that?"
"Your life. You know that as soon as day breaks the chateau will be seized. You are a self-confessed spy. You came here wearing a Russian uniform. As soon as we are released we shall hang you as a spy. But if you release us now, on my word of honor you shall go free."
"Monsieur is a very brave man," said Marteau smiling.
"Why?"
"To threaten me with death while he is in my power. You are the only witnesses. I could make way with you all."
"You forget the Countess and the English gentleman."
"Although the Countess is the enemy of France----"
"Nay, nay, the friend," interposed the girl.
"Be it so. Although she is the enemy of the Emperor then, I cannot believe that she could condemn to death by her testimony the man who has saved her from worse than death, and as for the English gentleman----"
"Damme if I"d say a word to hurt you, if only for what you have done for her, whether you release me or not," cried Yeovil.
"You see?"