"I am known by that name, Monsieur le Capitaine,"
said I.
He looked at me wistfully, apologetically almost, then "In the King's
name, Monsieur de Lesperon, I call upon you to yield!" said he.
"I have been expecting you. My sword is yonder, monsieur," I
replied suavely. "If you will allow me to dress, I shall be ready
to accompany you in a few minutes."
He bowed, and it at once became clear that his business at Lavedan
was - as I had suggested to the Vicomtesse might be possible - with
me alone.
"I am grateful for the readiness of your submission," said this very
polite gentleman. He was a comely lad, with blue eyes and a
good-humoured mouth, to which a pair of bristling moustaches sought
vainly to impart an expression of ferocity.
"Before you proceed to dress, monsieur, I have another duty to
discharge."
"Discharge your duty, monsieur," I answered. Whereupon he made a
sign to his men, and in a moment they were ransacking my garments
and effects. While this was taking place, he turned to the Vicomte
and Vicomtesse, and offered them a thousand apologies for having
interrupted their slumbers, and for so rudely depriving them of
their guest. He advanced in his excuse the troublous nature of the
times, and threw in a bunch of malisons at the circumstances which
forced upon soldiers the odious duties of the tipstaff, hoping that
we would think him none the less a gentleman for the unsavoury
business upon which he was engaged.
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