At this moment an officer in naval uniform stepped forward and looked me in the face.
“General Moraud,” said he, “what that officer says is true: he is Captain Keene, and I was prisoner on board of his vessel; and I also know the other man as well.”
“Captain Vangilt, I do not request your interference,” replied the general.
“But general, as an officer in the marine of the emperor, it is my duty to state to you, that you are deceived, and that this officer is the person that he states himself to be. Messieurs,” continued Captain Vangilt, addressing those about the general, “I assure you it is true, and I am under the greatest obligation to this officer for his kindness and humanity when I was his prisoner.”
“I recognise you now, Mr Vangilt,” replied I; “and I thank you for your evidence.”
“You see, general, he knows me by name: I must demand the life of this British officer.”
The other officers then spoke to the general, who heard all they had to say, and then, with a sardonic grin, replied,—“Gentlemen, he may be an officer, but still he is a spy.” At that moment an orderly came up on horseback, and, dismounting, gave a note to the general.
“Sacré bleu!” cried he; “then we’ll have our revenge first at all events. Soldiers, take these two men, and put them in the centre, with the others.”
Vangilt pleaded and entreated in vain: at last, in his rage, he called the general “a coward and a madman.”
“Captain Vangilt, you will answer that at some other time,” replied the general; “at present we will carry our will into execution. Lead them away.”