"And you are cowards!"
"We cowards!"
"You are seven or eight against one man bound, and you insult that man. Cowards! cowards! cowards!"
This violence on the part of Maurice, instead of enraging his adversaries, appeared to produce a contrary effect. It was even a proof that the young man was not what they had laid to his charge; a true spy would have trembled, and begged for mercy.
"There is nothing insulting in that," said a voice, milder yet firmer than any that had previously been heard; "in the times we live in, one may be a spy without being a dishonest man, only it is at the risk of one's life."
"If that is your opinion, you are welcome to question me, I will answer you faithfully."
"What are you doing in this quarter?"
"Looking for a woman."
This excuse was received with a murmur of incredulity; the murmur increased and became a storm.
"You lie!" replied the same voice. "There is no woman in the matter, and we know what we mean by 'woman;' there is no woman to pursue in this quarter. Avow your project, or die."