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called me a brigand。 But you might say the same of General
Dumouriez himself。 How many cities has he not sacked？〃
〃That is the way of war。〃
〃And so is this。 He makes war upon the enemies of France that dwell
in cities； whilst I； in a smaller way； make war upon those that
travel in coaches。 I confine myself to emigres … these damned
aristocrats whom it is every good Frenchman's duty to aid in stamping
out。 Over the frontiers they come with their jewels； their plate；
and their money…chests。 To whom belongs this wealth？ To France。
Too long already have they withheld from the sons of the soil that
which belongs equally to them； and now they have the effrontery to
attempt to carry these riches out of the country。 Would any true
Republican dare to reproach me for what I do？ I am but seizing
that which belongs to France； and here dividing it among the good
patriots that are with me； the soldiers that have bled for France。〃
〃A specious argument；〃sneered La Boulaye。
〃Specious enough to satisfy the Convention itself if ever I should
be called to task；〃 answered Charlot； with heat。 〃Do you propose
to draw the attention of the Executive to my doings？〃
La Boulaye's grey eyes regarded him steadily for a moment。
〃Know you of any reason why I should not？〃 he asked。
〃Yes； Caron； I do；〃 was the ready answer。 〃I am well aware of the
extent of your power with the Mountain。 In Paris I can see that
it might go hard with me if you were minded that it should； and you
were able to seize me。 On the other hand； that such arguments that
I have advanced to you would be acceptable to the Government I do
not doubt。 But whilst they would approve of this that you call
brigandage； I also do not doubt that they would claim that the
prizes I have seized are by right the property of the Convention；
and they might compel me to surrender them。 Thus they would pass
from my hands into those of some statesman…brigand； who； under the
plea of seizing these treasures for the coffers of the nation；
would transfer them to his own。 Would you rather help such an one
to profit than me； Caron？ Have you so far forgotten how we
suffered together … almost in the self…same cause … at Bellecour；
in the old days？ Have you forgotten the friendship that linked
us later； in Paris； when the Revolution was in its dawn？ Have
you forgotten what I have endured at the hands of this infernal
class that you can feel no sympathy for me？ Caron； it is a
measure of revenge； and as there is a Heaven； a very mild one。
Me they robbed of more than life； them I deprive but of their
jewels and their plate； turning them destitute upon the world。
Bethink you of my girl…wife； Caron；〃 he added； furiously； 〃and of
how she died of grief and shame a short three months after our
hideous nuptials。 God in Heaven！ When the memory of it returns
to me I marvel at my own forbearance。 I marvel that I do not take
every man and woman of them that fall into my hands and flog them
to death as they would have flogged you when you sought … alas to
so little purpose … to intervene on my behalf。〃
He grew silent and thoughtful； and the expression of his face was
not nice。 At last： 〃Have I given you reason enough；〃 he asked；
〃why you should not seek to thwart me？〃
〃Why； yes；〃 answered La Boulaye； 〃more than was necessary。 I am
desolated that I should have brought you to re…open a sorrow that
I thought was healed。〃
〃So it is； Caron。 How it is I do not know。 Perhaps it is my
nature； perhaps it is that in youth sorrow is seldom long…enduring；
perhaps it is the strenuous life I have lived and the changes that
have been wrought in me … for； after all； there is a little in this
Captain Tardivet that is like the peasant poor Marie took to
husband； four years ago。 I am no longer the same man； and among
the other things that I have put from me are the sorrows that were
of the old Charlot。 But some memories cannot altogether die； and
if to…day I no longer mourn that poor child； yet the knowledge of
the debt that lies 'twixt the noblesse of France and me is ever
present； and I neglect no opportunity of discharging a part of it。
But enough of that； Caron。 Tell me of yourself。 It is a full
twelvemonth since last we met； and in that time； from what I have
heard； you have done much and gone far。 Tell me of it； Caron。〃
They drew their chairs to the hearth； and they sat talking so long
that the early February twilight came down upon them while they
were still at their reminiscences。 La Boulaye had intended reaching
Valenciennes that night； but rather than journey forward in the
dark he now proposed to lie at Boisvert； a resolution in which he
did not lack for encouragement from Charlot。
CHAPTER IX
THE CAPTIVES
Amid the sordid surroundings of Charlot's private quarters the
Captain and the Deputy supped that evening。 The supper sorted well
with the house … a greasy； ill…cooked meal that proved little
inviting to the somewhat fastidious La Boulaye。 But the wine；
plundered； no doubt； in common with the goblets out of which they
drank it … was more than good； and whilst La Boulaye showed his
appreciation of it； Charlot abused it like a soldier。 They sat
facing each other across the little deal table； whose stains were
now hidden by a cloth； and to light them they had four tapers set
in silver candlesticks of magnificent workmanship； and most
wondrous weight； which Tardivet informed his guest had been the
property of a ci…devant prince of the blood。
As the night wore on Captain Charlot grew boisterous and more
confidential。 He came at length to speak of the last capture they
had made。
〃I have taken prizes； Caron；〃said he； 〃which a king might not
despise。 But to…day … 〃 He raised his eyes to the ceiling and
wagged his head。
〃Well？〃 quoth La Boulaye。 〃What about to…day？〃
〃I have made a capture worth more than all the others put together。
It was an indifferent…looking berline； and my men were within an
ace of allowing it to pass。 But I have a nose； mon cher〃 … and he
tapped the organ with ludicrous significance … 〃and； bon Dieu； what
affair！ I can smell an aristocrat a league off。 Down upon that
coach I swooped like a hawk upon a sparrow。 Within it sat two women；
thickly veiled； and I give you my word that in a sense I pitied them；
for not a doubt of it； but they were in the act of congratulating
themselves upon their escape from France。 But sentiment may become
fatal if permitted to interfere with enterprise。 Stifling my regrets
I desired them to alight； and they being wise obeyed me without demur。
I allowed them to retain their veils。 I sought the sight of things
other than women's faces； and a brief survey of the coach showed me
where to bestow my attention。 I lifted the back seat。 It came up
like the lid of the chest it was； and beneath it I discovered enough
gold and silver plate to outweigh in value almost everything that I
had ever taken。 But that was by no means all。 Under the front seat
there was a chest of gold … louis d'ors they were； some two or three
thousand at least … and； besides that； a little iron…bound box of
gems which in its