that is where the executions usually take place."
"Then the count is at the fortress?"
"No, they are taking him there."
"And they will shoot him?"
"As soon as I get there."
"Then you have charge of the execution?"
"No, but I hope they will let me give the order to fire. That is a favor that is seldom refused to any brave soldier taken with his arms in his hand, even if he has emigrated."
"Oh, heavens!" exclaimed Charles, catching a glimpse of the truth. "Are—"
"Exactly, my young friend. That is why I laughed when you recommended prudence, and why I offered to give my place to any one who wanted it, for I have no fear of losing it. As you said, I am attached."
And shaking aside his cloak with a movement of his shoulders, he showed the boy that his hands were fastened in front and his arms bound behind.
"Then," cried Charles, with a movement of terror, "you are—"
"The Comte de Sainte-Hermine, my child. You see I was right when I said that it is well my poor mother is dead."
"Oh!" exclaimed Charles.
"Luckily," he continued between his teeth, "my brothers still live!"
CHAPTER XVI
THE FORAGING CAP
Charles looked at the young nobleman with an astonishment that amounted almost to stupefaction. What! Was this young officer, so handsome, so calm, so youthful, about to die? Then there were men who met death smilingly!
He had never seen but one man who thought he was about to die, and that was Schneider when Saint-Just had ordered him to be fastened under the guillotine. Schneider had been hideous with terror, his legs bent under him, and they had been obliged to carry him up the scaffold steps.
The Comte de Sainte-Hermine, on the contrary, when he was about to die, had gathered all his forces together for the supreme moment. He walked with a light step and a smile on his lips.
Charles drew near him. "Is there no way of saving you?" he asked in a low tone.
"Frankly, I know of none; if I did I should try it."
"But—excuse me; I was far from expecting—"
"To travel in such bad company?"
"I want to ask you—" and the boy hesitated.
"What?"
"If I can serve you in any way?" continued Charles, lowering his voice still more.
"You can certainly be of some use to me; since I have seen you I have been revolving a scheme."
"Tell me what it is."
"It may be a little dangerous, and it might frighten you."
"I will risk anything to do you a service. I was in Strasbourg for three or four days, and during that time I saw so many things that nothing can frighten me now."
"I should like to send a message to my brother."
"I will deliver it."
"But it is a letter."
"I will deliver it."
"Are you not afraid of the risk you run?"
"I have already told you that nothing can frighten me now."
"I suppose I might give it to the captain; he would probably forward it to its destination."
"With the captain it is only probable, while with me it is certain."
"Then listen to me."
"I am listening."
"The letter is sewn inside my foraging cap."
"Good."
"You must ask the captain to let you be present at my execution."
"I?"
"Don't be afraid; it is a curious spectacle. Many people go to see executions just for the fun of it."
"I should never have the courage."
"Pooh! It is soon over."
"Oh! never, never!"
"We will say no more about it," said the prisoner; and he began to whistle, "Vive Henri IV."
Charles's heart seemed to turn within him, but his resolution was taken. He approached the prisoner again. "Excuse me," he said, "I will do whatever you ask."
"What a good boy you are! Thanks."
"Only—"
"Well?"
"You must ask the colonel to let me be present. I should never forgive myself if any one thought that I wanted to—"
"Very good; I will ask him. As a fellow-countryman that will be quite natural. Besides, the soldiers do not put on so many airs as the civilians; they have a stern duty to fulfil, and they make it as easy as possible. Where were we?"
"You were saying that I must be present at your execution."
"Yes, that was it. I shall ask to be allowed to send something to my brother that belongs to me—my foraging cap, for example; that is done every day. Besides, you see, a foraging cap would never be suspected."
"No."
"Just as they are about to fire I will toss it aside. Do not be in too much of a hurry to pick it up—they might suspect something. But when I am dead—"
"Oh!" exclaimed Charles, with a shiver.
"Who has a drop of brandy to give my little compatriot? He is cold."
"Come here, my pretty boy," said the captain, offering the boy a flask. Charles took a swallow of brandy; not that he was cold, but because he did not wish to betray his feelings.
"Thanks, captain," he said.
"At your service, boy; at your service. A mouthful, citizen Sainte-Hermine?"
"A thousand thanks, captain;
