"Why?"
"Because a French garrison occupy it—some of General de Ribeaupierre's brigade."
"It is a little way across the frontier," said Quentin; "so, my dear sir, what do you think of the duty?"
"Think—that the whole affair is a cruelty and a shame!" exclaimed the old major, bluntly. "I've been looking at the map, and see that the place is some miles beyond the frontier—in the enemy's country, in fact."
"Come, major, don't discourage him," said Buckle; "he must go now, and there is an end of it."
"I wish there was. Does he go in uniform?"
"Yes; it is safer."
"How?"
"In mufti he might be taken for a spy."
"Uniform did not protect my poor friend André of the 26th, when taken on a similar mission."