«Surrender him to you? My guest? The man who has served me so nobly? Who is here as a direct consequence of that service? Sir, it…it is unthinkable.» Thus he displayed to Captain Blood certain remains of decent feeling.
Macartney was gravely calm. «I perceive your scruples. I respect them. But duty is duty.»
«I care nothing for your duty, sir.»
The Major's manner became more stern. «Colonel de Coulevain, you will forgive me for pointing out to you that I have the means at hand to enforce my demand, and my duty will compel me to employ it.»
«What?» Colonel de Coulevain was aghast. «You would land your men under arms on French soil?»
«If you are obstinate in your misplaced chivalry you will leave me no choice.»
«But…God of my life! That would be an act of war. War between the nations would be the probable result.»
Macartney shook his round head. «The certain result would be the cashiering of Colonel de Coulevain for having made the act necessary in defiance of the existing agreement.» He smiled maliciously. «I think you will be sufficiently under a cloud already, my Colonel, for yesterday's events here.»
Coulevain sat down heavily, dragged forth a handkerchief and mopped his brow. He was perspiring freely. He appealed in his distress to Captain Blood. «Death of my life! What am I to do?»
«I am afraid,» said Captain Blood, «that his reasoning is faultless.» He stifled a yawn. «You'll forgive me. I was out in the open all night.» And he, too, sat down. «Do not permit yourself to be distressed, my Colonel. This business of playing Providence is seldom properly requited by Fortune.»