Caillard ran a cold eye over Hornblowers appearance. What is he doing with that sword at his side? he asked of the Governor.
The admiral returned it to him on the day of the battle, explained the Governor hastily. He said
It doesnt matter what he said, interrupted Caillard. No criminal as guilty as he can be allowed a weapon. And a sword is the emblem of a gentleman of honour, which he most decidedly is not. Take off that sword, sir.
Hornblower stood appalled, hardly believing he had understood. Caillards face wore a fixed mirthless smile which showed white teeth, below the black moustache which lay like a gash across his olive face.
Take off that sword, repeated Caillard, and then, as Hornblower made no movement, If Your Excellency will permit me to call in one of my gendarmes, I will have the sword removed.
At the threat Hornblower unbuckled his belt and allowed the weapon to fall to the ground; the clatter rang loud in the silence. The sword of honour which the Patriotic Fund had awarded him ten years ago for his heading of the boarding party which took the Castilla lay on the floor, jerked half out of its scabbard. The hiltless tang and the battered places on the sheath where the gold had been torn off bore mute witness to the lust for gold of the Empires servants.
Good! said Caillard. Now will Your Excellency have the goodness to warn this man of his approaching departure?
Colonel Caillard, said the Governor, has come to take you and your first lieutenant,
MistaireMistaire Bush, to Paris.
Bush? blazed out Hornblower, moved as not even the loss of his sword could move him. Bush? That is impossible. Lieutenant Bush is seriously wounded. It might easily be fatal to take him on a long journey at present.
The journey will be fatal to him in any case, said Caillard, still with the mirthless smile and the gleam of white teeth.
The Governor wrung his hands.
You cannot say that, Colonel. These gentlemen have still to be tried. The Military Commission has yet to give its verdict.
These gentlemen, as you call them, Your Excellency, stand condemned out of their own mouths.
Hornblower remembered that he had made no attempt to deny, while the admiral was questioning him and preparing his report, that he had been in command of the Sutherland the day she wore French colours and her landing party stormed the battery at Llanza. He had known the ruse to be legitimate enough, but he had not reckoned on a French emperor determined upon convincing European opinion of the perfidy of England and cunning enough to know that a couple of resounding executions might well be considered evidence of guilt.
The colonel, said the Governor to Hornblower, has brought his coach. You may rely upon it that Mistaire Bush will have every possible comfort. Please tell me which of your men you would like to accompany you as your servant. And if there is anything which I can provide which will make the journey more comfortable, I will do so with the greatest pleasure.
Hornblower debated internally the question of the servant. Polwheal, who had served him for years, was among the wounded in the casemate. Nor, he fancied, would he have selected him in any case; Polwheal was not the man for an emergencyand it was just possible that there might be an emergency. Latude had escaped from the Bastille. Was not there a faint chance that he might escape from Vincennes? Hornblower thought of Browns bulging muscles and cheerful devotion.
I would like to take my coxswain, Brown, if you please, he said.
Certainly. I will send for him and have your present servant pack your things with him. And with regard to your needs for the journey?
I need nothing, said Hornblower. At the same time as he spoke he cursed himself for his pride. If he were ever to save himself and Bush from the firing party in the ditch at Vincennes he would need gold.
Oh, I cannot allow you to say that, protested the Governor. There may be some few comforts you would like to buy when you are in France. Besides, you cannot deprive me of the pleasure of being of assistance to a brave man. Please do me the favour of accepting my purse. I beg you to, sir.
Hornblower fought down his pride and took the proffered wallet. It was of surprising weight and gave out a musical chink as he took it.
I must thank you for your kindness, he said. And for all your courtesy while I have been your prisoner.
It has been a pleasure to me, as I said, replied the Governor. I want to wish you thethe very best of luck on your arrival in Paris.
Enough of this, said Caillard. My orders from His Majesty call for the utmost expedition. Is the wounded man in the courtyard?
The Governor led the way out, and the gendarmes closed up round Hornblower as they walked towards the coach. Bush was lying there on a stretcher, strangely pale and strangely wasted out there in the bright light. He was feebly trying to shield his eyes from the sun; Hornblower ran and knelt beside him.
Theyre going to take us to Paris, Bush, he said. What, you and me, sir?