Chapter 9 Summary

Sharpe exits the farmhouse and meets Colonel de l'Eclin. In contrast to Sharpe's tattered uniform, de l'Eclin is dressed immaculately. Sharpe manages to negotiate the release of the Parkers. De l'Eclin asks about Sharpe's plans for his troops. De l'Eclin manages to correctly guess Sharpe's plan, but Sharpe denies this and says that he plans to capture all the French troops.

De l'Eclin says that if Sharpe does not surrender now he will not permit him to do so later. De l'Eclin says that the main French army is soon to arrive, but Sharpe knows that de l'Eclin is lying. De l'Eclin believes that Vivar is with Sharpe and that Sharpe is trying to help Vivar escape with his strongbox, but Sharpe tries to explain that Vivar is not there. The man in the black coat and white boots calls Sharpe a liar...