On the old-fashioned table he saw a pair of gloves and a cigar-case.
How came they there?
He got off the bed, took the cigar-case in his hands, and stared in amazement. The monogram V.N. was engraved on it, he recognized it, he had given it to Vincent Newport when he resigned his commission; and Captain Newport was posted among the missing. How came the case here, and the glove?
He was examining them when Jean came up the crazy stairs into the room.
To Alan's rapid question he said:
"He was an officer, he escaped from the escort, they tracked him down.
I hid him, but it was no use—they found him."
"What became of him?" asked Alan.
"They took him away," he said. "They would have shot me but he pleaded for me, said I did not hide him, knew nothing about it, that he crept into the house and took the clothes he was wearing himself."
"Then he is alive?" said Alan.
"I believe so. Look," said Jean. He pulled open a drawer and Alan saw in it an officer's uniform.