“What you ask is impossible!” he replied.
“Why?”
“Because Maurice is pursued. If he is captured, he will be tried and undoubtedly condemned to death. He is now in a safe retreat, and I have no right to disclose it.”
Maurice’s safe retreat was, in fact, only a neighboring wood, where in company with the corporal, he was awaiting Jean’s return.
But Jean could not resist the temptation to make this response, which was far more insulting than if he had simply said:
“We fear informers!”
Strange as it may appear to one who knew Martial’s proud and violent nature, he did not resent the insult.
“So you distrust me!” he said, sadly.
Jean Lacheneur was silent—another insult.
“But,” insisted Martial, “after what you have just seen and heard you can no longer suspect me of having cut the ropes which I carried to the baron.”