Where is my son,
sir? or have you already murdered him, as you did his
servant? Tell me, you villain, what have you to say to
these proofs of your treachery? But stay, I shall take
another and fitter opportunity to question you. Mr.
Lawson, secure this traitor properly, and let him be
conveyed to the centre of the detachment."
The mandate was promptly obeyed; and, in despite of his
own unceasing prayers and protestations of innocence,
and the tears and entreaties of his dark-eyed daughter
Babette, who had thrown herself on her knees at his side,
the stout arms of mine host of the Fleur de lis were soon
firmly secured behind his back with the strong rope that
had been found under such suspicious circumstances in
his possession. Before he was marched off, however, two
of the men who had been sent in pursuit, returned from
the orchard, stating that further search was now fruitless.
They had penetrated through a small thicket at the
extremity of the grounds, and had distinctly seen a man
answering the description given by their comrades, in
full flight towards the forest skirting the heights in
front.
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