In adopting this resolution in the first instance, he
was not without a hope that Halloway, standing, as he
must feel himself to be, on the verge of the grave, might
be induced to make confession of his guilt, and communicate
whatever particulars might prove essential not only to
the safety of the garrison generally, but to himself
individually, as far as his personal enemy was concerned.
With this view, he had charged Captain Blessington, in
the course of their march from the hut to the fatal
bridge, to promise a full pardon, provided he should make
such confession of his crime as would lead to a just
appreciation of the evils likely to result from the
treason that had in part been accomplished. Even in making
this provision, however, which was met by the prisoner
with solemn yet dignified reiteration of his innocence,
Colonel de Haldimar had not made the refusal of pardon
altogether conclusive in his own mind: still, in adopting
this plan, there was a chance of obtaining a confession;
and not until there was no longer a prospect of the
unhappy man being led into that confession, did he feel
it imperative on him to stay the progress of the tragedy.
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