Notes were found on his person proving not only the fact that he had come from the German lines, but that he had for some time been gathering information in the British lines, with the evident intention of conveying it to the enemy.
This information, moreover, was of such vital import, and it had been kept with such secrecy, that it seemed miraculous that he could have obtained it; still, obtained it he had, and a dozen proofs of his treachery were found upon him. To all questions, however, he maintained a rigid silence; evidently he was faithful to his own country.
"And did the blackguard tell you he did not know German?" asked the
General.
"That's what aroused my suspicions, sir," replied Bob. "He was like a character in Hamlet—he protested too much; this made me send for Proctor, to whom I could speak German in a natural sort of way. As I watched his face, I saw that he understood every word that was being said, and I took steps accordingly."
"A jolly sensible thing to do," was the General's response. "Still, we have spotted him, and, what is more, the biter's bitten; not only will he fail to carry back the information he has gained, to the enemy, but his papers reveal their intentions, and so you have rendered us a great service."
A little later on, the man who had called himself Rivers, but whose real name, according to his papers, was Werter, was shot.
"That Nancarrow is a useful man," said Colonel Sapsworth to the
General, not long after, when they were discussing the situation.
"He certainly seems to have behaved very well," was the General's response.
"I have had my eye upon him for weeks," said the Colonel. "From the first time I saw him, I felt he had the makings of a good soldier, and I gave special instructions about him. Of course, I had to be careful, and I saw to it that he was tested in various ways; but he's as plucky as they make 'em. Of course, it was a mad thing to do to creep out into the open, as he did, and bring back Trevanion, but it was a fine thing all the same."
"He seems quite intelligent too," said the General.