Is it then so very extraordinary an attachment
should have been the consequence? The man whom you slew
was my servant. I had brought him out with me for protection
during my interview with the woman, and I exchanged my
uniform with him for the same purpose. There is nothing
in this, however, to warrant the supposition of my being
a spy."
During the delivery of these more than equivocal sentences,
which, however, he felt were fully justified by
circumstances, the young officer had struggled to appear
calm and confident; but, despite of his exertions, his
consciousness caused his cheek to colour, and his eye to
twinkle, beneath the searching glance of his ferocious
enemy. The latter thrust his hand into his chest, and
slowly drew forth the rope he had previously exhibited
to Ponteac.
"Do you think me a fool, Captain de Haldimar," he observed,
sneeringly, "that you expect so paltry a tale to be palmed
successfully on my understanding? An English officer is
not very likely to run the risk of breaking his neck by
having recourse to such a means of exit from a besieged
garrison, merely to intrigue with an Indian woman, when
there are plenty of soldiers' wives within, and that too
at an hour when he knows the scouts of his enemies are
prowling in the neighbourhood.
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