PRISONER.

[Triumphantly.]

Blown up and burning!—­In an hour the houses that were to shelter your attack on our defenses will be gone, and you will have to fight our forces in the open field.—­That means defeat for you.

LA HOGUE.

Sacristi!  Gag this rogue, or we’ll be whipped before we fight.

LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN writes hastily, and strikes a bell.  Enter GOUROC, who starts and goes out again with a gesture of menace towards the PRISONER. Enter ORDERLY.

LA ROCHE.

[To ORDERLY.]

Despatch these orders instantly, and send a guard with loaded muskets here at once.

[Exit ORDERLY.]

[Turning despondently to LA HOGUE.]

I fear this is a death-blow to our plans to-night.

PRISONER.

A death-blow dealt by me!—­You’d better kill me quickly before I do more damage.

LA ROCHE.

You are right, sir; I should be faithless to my King if I showed you mercy now.

PRISONER.

Bravo!  Mercy to enemies is as base as cruelty to friends.

LA HOGUE.

Damn me!  There’s no fun in killing such a fool—­he seems to like it!

[Enter ORDERLY with GUARDS.

LA ROCHE.

[To ORDERLY.]

Take the prisoner outside and shoot him there at once.

[GUARD crosses to PRISONER.]

Have you any last request?

PRISONER.

But one.—­You have shown me the kindness of an honest-hearted man.  War has made us enemies, but, in the presence of the peace of death, I would like to feel that as Frenchmen we are friends, and ask one parting grasp from you.

LA ROCHE.

[Grasps his hand.]

With all my heart!—­May we meet like this above.

LA HOGUE.

[With emotion.]

Curse these youngsters, they make me snivel like a fool.

[He blows his nose furiously.

The_ PRISONER bows, takes his place in the platoon of GUARDS, who begin to march off.  When they are on the terrace, LA HOGUE suddenly cries out.

LA HOGUE.

Halt!—­

[ORDERLY about-faces and waits for orders.]

You have not given us your name.