The Twin Lieutenants by Alexandre Dumas pËre

Author:Alexandre Dumas, pËre
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ManyBooks.net

CHAPTER XI.

THE EXECUTION.

THE day following the one upon which, pursuant to the programme he had given M. de Bubna, Napoleon had quitted Vienna, rumor circulated, around toward the evening, that the council of war, convoked by Marshall Berthier's order, had condemned Frederic Staps to the penalty of death.

The accused had confessed everything, had in no ways tried to avoid the accusation, and, after having heard his sentence pronounced, had asked neither pardon nor respite.

Only once within his prison, he had desired them to pray the Lieutenant, reporter of the court, who was a young officer of light infantry named Paul Richard, to come and see him the next day, some instants before the execution.

Then he made his prayer, had recommended them to arouse him early, and had given bis gaoler, in recompense for his cares, four gold Frederics which he had about him and which constituted all his fortune.

Thereupon he had thrown himself on his bed, had taken a medallion from his pocket and had tenderly kissed it many times; finally he had fallen asleep while pressing that medallion to his heart.

At six o'clock of the morning, the gaoler had come into his room and awoke him.

Then Staps had opened his eyes smiling, had thanked him who came, for so short a time; to return him to existence, had made his dressing with a sort of care, had parted his fine hair with particular coquetry, and when he was asked what he desired for breakfast had responded.

"I think a cup of milk will suffice."

He was just emptying that cnp when the young officer from whom he had solicited an interview in extremis appeared upon the doorsill.

It was evident that the young officer, although he let no embarrassment be perceived, would have rather had the condemned man's choice fallen upon another than him,

"I thank you sir," said Staps, "for having been willing to answer my invitation; I have a service to ask you."

"And you see me ready to render it to you sir," replied the young officer.

"This is not the first time we've seen each other. Lieutenant."

"Alas! no. Monsieur, and I regret that fate selected me to be reporter on your case."

"Oh! it is not only to the three sessions of the council of war where I appeared that I made allusion, sir; we have seen each other before."

"That may be. Monsieur; but I have completely forgotten when our interview took place."

"Nothing more natural: I was masked and you were not."

"Ah!" said Paul Richard starting, "'twas in the ruins of Abensberg?"

"It was there, in fact; and for an instant you, also, may have believed you were to be shot."

"Unfortunately, that which was a play with me is a reality with you," said the Lieutenant.

"Right; but you were ignorant that it was a play and you went resolutely to the end. Lieutenant Richard, you are a brave man, and he was right who baptized you, that evening, Richard Coeur de Lion."

The young officer turned pale.

"Do you know why I was there, Monsieur?"

"No,

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