"Both have been arrested; he, for conspiring against the government, she, as his accomplice."
Coursegol uttered a terrible oath: then, turning to Vauquelas and seizing him by the collar, he cried:
"It was you, wretch, who betrayed them!"
"You are choking me!" groaned Vauquelas, breathless in Coursegol's violent grasp.
"Tell me where they are!" thundered Coursegol. "I must see them. Where are they?"
"Release me," gasped Vauquelas.
This time Coursegol obeyed; but he stood before Vauquelas, angry and menacing. The latter trembled. He had not foreseen that Coursegol would hold him accountable for the arrest of Philip and Dolores.
"Explain and quickly!" cried Coursegol.
"The soldiers came to the house in pursuit of young Philip, who had taken refuge in this room. To save him, Dolores said she was his wife. Philip, fearing she would be compromised, denied her statement; and as their explanation did not seem sufficiently clear, they were both taken to prison."
"Could you not have vouched for them—declared that they were friends of yours?"