“That our tale is true,” answered Devereux. “Any person on the coast must have seen our ship burning. If you will send, you can ascertain the truth of that part of our account.”
“It is a considerable distance from the coast, and we cannot spare men to send,” said the general, gruffly.
“The boat by which we landed will be found at the bank of the river,” observed Paul, quietly.
“Very likely, but that will only prove that you landed from some ship off the coast,” exclaimed the general, in an angry tone. “You were found prowling about my head-quarters, the act of spies, and as spies you will be treated. If your story is not authenticated, you will be shot at sunrise.”
“Say, rather, brutally murdered!” said Devereux, indignantly. “I call all here to witness that I state that I am a British officer, that these are my subordinates, that all I have said is true, and that we landed here not knowing that the French were occupying the country.”
The general, once well known for his atrocious cruelties, had made a signal to the guard to lead away the prisoners, when a young man entered the room dressed in the uniform of an hussar. Paul looked at him very hard, struck by his strong likeness to Alphonse Montauban.
“What!” exclaimed the new comer, springing forward, and taking Paul’s hand, “Is it possible?”
His voice made Devereux and O’Grady turn their heads; and in spite of the astonished and angry looks of the general and some of his officers, he grasped their hands; then turning to the general, he cried out—
“What have these officers done? They appear to be treated as criminals. I know them well. They are old friends, who, when I was their prisoner, treated me with kindness, sympathy, and generosity. I will answer for it that whatever account they have given of themselves is the true one.”
“That alters the case, my dear Count,” said the general, in a blander tone than he had as yet used. “If they really have been wrecked, although we must consider them as prisoners, they shall receive all courtesy at our hands, and be exchanged as soon as possible.”