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E can't let him be taken, Dubois, after what he has done," said Gerard under his breath.

"By Heaven, I should think not. They are only five to four, and we have them divided."

"Feign a surrender," answered Gerard, and they walked calmly up to the soldiers, Pierre following.

"What is it, sergeant?" said Dubois, in a quiet tone of authority.

"Ho, it's you again and Master Pierre, is it? You don't fool me twice with your tale of captain. You are our prisoners now." It was the sergeant, Vauban, whom Dubois had knocked down in the escape from the Castle, and his tone betokened intense satisfaction.

"You mutinous dog! do you dare to speak to me like that?" was Dubois' reply in a voice of thunder.

"Mutiny or no mutiny, you will come with us and explain to the Governor. If you're not one of the escaped prisoners, I'm no man."

"There can be no objection to that, monsieur," said Gerard quietly to Dubois.

"And who are you?" demanded the sergeant roughly. "With so many of your cursed brood in the city, there's no room for honest men."

"Rough words are no proof of honesty, my friend," answered Gerard so quietly that the man had no inkling of his intention.