"I am known as Captain Weir," replied the other.
"Have you aught to allege why you should not be delivered to the provost-marshal for immediate execution?" observed Charles, sternly.
"My life is justly forfeited," replied the prisoner, "yet your royal highness will do well to spare me."
"Wherefore?" demanded the prince, whose curiosity was excited.
"My reasons are only for your private ear," replied the prisoner.
After a moment's reflection, during which he kept his eye fixed on Weir, Charles ordered the guard to retire.
"Leave the prisoner with me," he said. "But if he attempts to fly—shoot him."
As soon as the command was obeyed, he said:
"You can speak freely now. Why should I spare your life?"
"Firstly, because it will prove to the world that you are a magnanimous prince, and in that respect superior to your enemies, who are notorious for their severity," replied Weir. "Next, because I can tell much that it behoves your royal highness to know, as will be evident when I declare that I am employed by the Duke of Cumberland as a spy, and am, therefore, necessarily in his royal highness's confidence. If my life be spared, and I am allowed to go back to Lichfield, where the duke is quartered, I can mislead him by erroneous information, while I shall be able to acquaint you with his plans—exact knowledge of which I need not say will be eminently serviceable."