II
"Come inside, monsieur," murmured the smith, glancing round to see thatno German was within hearing. Then he threw up his hands and groaned.
"He is an insolent hound," said Burton, sympathetically.
"Ah, monsieur, it is not that; all these Prussians are brutes. I fearfor monsieur le marquis."
"Who is the marquis? He has a soldierly look."
"He was a fine soldier, monsieur. Every Frenchman knows his name. Inthe army he was plain General du Breuil; here in his own country, wherewe love him, we give him his true title, that has come to him from thedays of long ago. Ah! there is great trouble for him. I know thatman."
"The major?"
"Major he may be; spy he was. It is clear. Listen, monsieur. Somethree years ago, before monsieur le marquis retired from the army, hehad in his service a secretary, said to be an Alsatian, very useful tomonsieur, who was compiling his memoirs. One day he was dismissed, noneof us knew why. Monsieur le marquis had discovered something, no doubt.There was a violent scene at the chateau. Monsieur's son, Captain duBreuil, kicked the secretary down the steps. He came into the village,hired a _caleche_ to drive him to the station, and departed. We haveseen no more of him until this day. He is the major."
"You are sure?"
"It is certain, monsieur. He was then clean shaven, and now wears amoustache, but I know the scar on his cheek."
"And you fear he will insult the marquis?"
"Worse than that, monsieur. A few days ago monsieur le capitaine, bravesoldier like his father, was wounded in action only a mile or two away,when our gallant cuirassiers charged the Bosches and drove themhelter-skelter from their trenches. He was found on the field by oldGuignet, and carried secretly to the chateau, and there he lies,horribly hurt by shrapnel."
"And now they will make him prisoner?"
"That would be bad enough, but I fear worse. The Bosches are brutal toall. What must we expect from a man who has a grudge to pay off, andfinds his enemy helpless in his clutches? The major will not forgivehis kicking."
"It's a bad look-out, certainly," said Burton. "I like your oldgeneral; he came to our help so quickly. But what about my engine?"
"Ah, oui, monsieur, it is a pity. I dare not leave the village now.The Bosches passed quickly through here in their retreat a few days ago;I did not expect to see their ugly faces again. You must wait,monsieur. Come into my house, and share our soup. If God pleases, thehounds will go again to-morrow."
Burton accepted the good man's offer of hospitality, and shared a simplemeal with him, and his wife, and two wide-eyed children who gazed withinterest at the stranger.
When the meal was nearly finished, the smith suddenly exclaimed--
"Ah! here comes old Pierre, with a German. Have a care, monsieur.Remember you are deaf and dumb."
Looking out of the window into the darkling street, Burton saw a bentold man tottering along by the side of one of the orderlies who hadrecently ridden away.
"They are not coming here, Dieu merci!" said the smith at his elbow."They are going to the butcher's. These Germans eat like hogs."
"Who is the old man?" Burton asked.
"Servant of monsieur le marquis, monsieur. They have grown oldtogether. There is no other left in the chateau. Some are at the war;the rest fled, maids and men, when the Germans came before. Ah! it issad for monsieur and madame in their old age, and their son lyingwounded, too."
The old serving-man passed from the butcher's to the baker's, and thenceto other shops, with the orderly always at his side. Soon the old manwas staggering under a load of purchases. He faltered and stopped, andthe orderly shouted at him, and threatened him with his sword. Burton'sblood boiled. He would have liked to catch the German by the neck andshake him until he howled for mercy.
The German way]
Then an idea struck him. If he offered to help the laden old man hewould make some return for the general's kindness; perhaps he might beof some further service in the chateau. He made the suggestion to thesmith.
"It is madness, monsieur. You would put your head into the lion'smouth."
"What more natural than that a deaf mute should earn a sou by using hismuscles? Arrange it, my friend."
"They say you English are mad, monsieur," said the smith with a shrug."A la bonne heure! But you will get more kicks than sous."
"Make an opportunity to tell the old man that I am deaf and dumb, andthat he is to pretend he knows me. He must inform his master andmistress also. Will he be discreet?"
"He will be anything you please for the sake of monsieur le marquis.Come, then, monsieur."
They left the house, and came upon the scene just as the orderly hadterrorised the old man into making another attempt to carry his burden.The smith soon discovered that the orderly knew no French. He arrangedthe matter by signs, pointing to Burton's mouth and ears, and indicatingthat he was muscularly strong. At the same time he spoke rapidly inFrench to old Pierre.
"Ah, bon, bon!" said the old man. "I understand perfectly. Be sure Iwill tell the master. Monsieur may rely upon me."
Burton shouldered more than half the load, and set off for the chateauside by side with Pierre, the orderly following.