"Have you seen Beauregard?" he asked.
"Yes," replied James Playfair.
"And have you spoken to him about Mr. Halliburtt?"
"No, it was he who spoke to me about him."
"Well, Captain?"
"Well, I may as well tell you everything, Crockston."
"Everything, Captain."
"General Beauregard has told me that your master will be shot within a week."
At this news anyone else but Crockston would have grown furious or given way to bursts of grief, but the American, who feared nothing, only said, with almost a smile on his lips:
"Pooh! what does it matter?"