“Where shall I find you?”
“Here, where you leave me. Go quick, my man.”
“I won’t be gone ten minutes,” replied the soldier, as he started off at a run for the missing volume.
The officer took the gun, and stood by the side of his prisoner, at the corner of the street, till the soldier disappeared in the darkness. Somers, still thinking of the sad fate which he was confident was in store for him, wished to confirm his impressions in regard to his destiny. His companion seemed to be a gentleman of a kindly nature, though stern in the discharge of his duty. It was possible that he would give him some information in regard to the probable disposal of him.
“Will you tell me, sir, why I am separated from the rest of the prisoners?” said he, as soon as the sentinel had departed upon his errand.
“Because you are an officer.”
“How do you know I am?” asked Somers, very desirous of ascertaining how much Captain de Banyan had told in regard to him.
“We know all about you,” answered the officer, muffling his cloak more closely around his face, as if afraid the night air might injure his lungs as he opened his mouth.
“What do you know about me?”
“All about you.”