"I am an officer in my lord Marlborough's army," he said haltingly.
"Take that down, quarter-master. A Frenchman in Lord Marlborough's army. In what regiment, Monsieur?"
"In Schomberg's Horse."
"Take that down. Now, Monsieur, explain to me how it is that you, a Frenchman in Lord Marlborough's army, are here, ten miles from his camp at Gros Heppach."
This was good and unexpected news. Fanshawe at once proceeded to make it clear that he was an Englishman, then explained in as few words as possible whence he had come and the urgency of his mission.
"Take that down," said the colonel, translating to the quarter-master.
The man wrote slowly, and Fanshawe was growing more and more restive.
"I beg you to note, Monsieur," he said, "that while we are talking Prince Eugene's men are possibly being massacred by the brigands. They are at least forty to one."
"Ha! Take that down. The enemy is in force; we must adopt every precaution. No doubt they are an advance-guard of the Elector's army. How many do the enemy number?"
"Some three hundred."