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HE officer stared with growing anger, first at Dubois, then back at Gerard, and lastly at the four of his men who had moved away and left him and the one Castle soldier alone in the middle of the room.

"Is this mutiny?" he cried furiously, drawing his sword.

"I'll answer that," said Dubois. "It would be a mutiny if they were to turn against their own officer. And they will not. This is my doing, and the responsibility is mine. I will not let you take your prisoners away."

"We'll see to that. Jean, if that man does not stand from the door, you will fire at him." The musket was levelled. "Now, monsieur, if you please, stand from the door," he cried sternly.

But the musket was not fired. Gerard stepped swiftly behind the man, seized his weapon and dragged it from him.

"We can have no firing here," he said quietly.

"You will resist capture at your peril;" and the officer turned on him.

"I am quite prepared for that, captain," interposed Dubois; "but it is you who are in peril, not we. You will give me your sword."

The officer appealed almost fiercely to the four men.

"Do you mean to stand by and witness this? You will pay for it if you do with your lives."

"My soldiers are not trained to man-hunting, mon