“It is because,” he said, “there are many French planters in the province bitten with the three horrors” (he meant Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity), “I sent six to Havana; and if Monsieur Étienne de Boré had not, in the nick of time for him, discovered how to make sugar he would have gone, too. I had an idea that the Sieur de St. Gré and Mr. Temple might act as a bait to reveal the disease in some others. Ha, I am cleverer than you thought, Mr. Ritchie. You are surprised?”
I was surprised, and showed it.
“Come,” he said, “you are astute. Why did you think I left them at liberty?”
“I thought your Excellency believed them to be harmless, as they are,” I replied.
He turned again to the Vicomtesse. “You have picked up a diplomat, Madame. I must confess that I misjudged him when you introduced him to me. And again, where are Mr. Temple and your estimable cousin? Shall I tell you? They are at old Lamarque's, on the plantation of Philippe de St. Gré.”
“They were, your Excellency,” said the Vicomtesse.
“Eh?” exclaimed the Baron, jumping.
“Mademoiselle de St. Gré has given her brother eight hundred livres, and he is probably by this time on board a French ship at the English Turn. He is very badly frightened. I will give your Excellency one more surprise.”
“Madame la Vicomtesse,” said the Baron, “I have heard that, but for your coolness and adroitness, Monsieur le Vicomte, your husband, and several other noblemen and their ladies and some of her Majesty's letters and jewels would never have gotten out of France. I take this opportunity of saying that I have the greatest respect for your intelligence. Now what is the surprise?”
“That your Excellency intended that both Mr. Temple and Auguste de St. Gré were to escape on that ship.”