The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 186: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

180 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. on the instant lodged false information against you, either with the prefect of police or at the war office.” ‘‘Oh ! the remorseless villain !” ‘‘But how can he prove anything against me?” asked Tom, indignantly. : “Hasily enough. He has plenty of money, and that can do anything. For a thousand or two of pounds be could buy up a dozen false witnesses, aye, two or three dozen; for the lower order of our Italians are knaves at heart.” “ But what had we better do?” asked Frank. “Go up stairs, pack up your things, and make ready for an instant start.” “ But we cannot do so.” ‘“Yes you can; you have not been put under arrest, nor have either of you given your words of honour as officers and gentlemen not to leave this place.” “ True, we have not.” “Then why stand upon ceremony ; make good your escape; it will be much better than to lay rotting in a gaol until the war is over, at the mere false information given against you by this rascal, Joel Flint. I know these Italians better than you do.”’ Acting upon the count’s advice, Frank and Tom hastened up to their apartments, and began to pack up. They left the count alone discussing his wine and smoking cigars. - He had not been very long so engaged, however, when a young stranger, neatly attired as a civilian, hastily entered the room in which he was. - “Count,” said he, ‘‘where are the two young Englishmen ?” ‘““Why do you ask?” ‘“‘T have information which must reach their ears at once,” ‘‘Indeed ! then who are you, pray?” “‘T am one of the secret police.” “Oh, oh! and what business have you with them ?” ‘‘T have an important communication to make to them.” (See cut in No. 22.) ‘“‘T cannot see how that can be, seeing that you are One of the secret police.” ‘Tt igy easily explained. They have befriended me and mine—saved them from death,’’ “Who, pray ?” ‘Teresa, Garibaldi’s female spy.” “And because they did that——”’ ‘I have waited for an opportunity of repaying their great kindness and bravery, by disclosing’ to them the plot which is laid for their very lives.” “Go on, I am surprised. How came all this about ?” ‘Tt all followed from Captain Frank’s duel with the Marquis de Sangri.” ““T know it.” “But, for a long time, this young English wretch, Flint, or Schmidt—whatever his right name is—has been bribing all sorts of people to give false infor- mation against the two gallant brothers, Frank Jude in particular.” ‘As I supposed, and spent large sums, I have no doubt,” “Yes, very large sums,” ‘And you accepted a bribe?” “T did, but never intended to hurt them.” ‘As the brother of Teresa, you could not have done so, without proving a great scoundrel,” The detective laughed, as he said, “I threw myself in the way of this false English- i a ee man, Flint, and, while I took his money, I got all the information I could out of him.” “Very wisely done,” smiled the count. “And what charges has this English rascal made against them ?” ‘“He gave information this morning that the Boy Band of young Garibaldians intended to turn traitors, go over to the Austrians, and tell the Arch- duke Albrecht all our plans.” “The villain !” Boy'< “This was all the more villanous, because it is already known in influential circles that the whole Italian army under the king’s command intends to march against the Austrians in four days at the furthest.” ‘“‘T never heard this before.” “But I did. More than this. Flint has sworn that the two brothers are, concerned in a most horrible murder committed on their poor old uncle some time ago in England.” ‘“‘T cannot believe such a monstrous charge.” “Nor I either; but this Flint has gone so far as to swear that Major Caspar and all the rest have had dealings and correspondence with that pest of the mountains known as Basil the Bandit.” ‘These are strong charges.” “But the last and worst charge is, that he offers to prove their cowardice before the enemy, not- withstanding all the gallant deeds they have performed.” “The imp of the devil!” said the count, witha fierce oath, ‘Why, braver lads never drew a sword !” “ Every one knows it, count, but the prefect of police has given orders to have them arrested.” “ But it shall not be!” said the count; “I will stand their friend through thick and thin, if I die for it!” “And so will I,” said Tomasso, the detective, ‘and already I have proved my fidelity to them.” “In what manner?” ‘As soon as I got positive information of what this Flint intended to do, I wrote off to Major Caspar, Hugh Tracy, and the rest, telling them of the storm that was approaching, and begged of them to hold themselves in readiness to fly-at an hour’s notice.” “But that cannot be done. to convey them?” “T have it in readiness. Last night, I went-on board Captain Tom Ford’s vessel, and informed the officer in command of everything.” ‘“ And what did the English lieutenant say?” ‘“He swore he would blow Leghorn to atoms if the authorities dared to lay a hand on their gallant captain and his brother.” ‘Bravo! Bravo!” said the count; “that’s just like those English tars ; they don’t care about the very devil himself when their blood is up.” | Where is the ship ‘‘The two brave lads must be informed of this at once,” said the detective, ‘‘Very right and proper; but if we do get away, we'll teach these Austrians that we are not cowards. The Boy Band shall fight one more battle, and then Captain Frank can do as he pleases—stand his trial, retire from the service, or remain in it, just as he pleases,” ‘‘There is one piece of advice I would give, then,” said the detective. “And what is that ?” : Why, do not persuade them to return to England ye pt!) “And why, pray? Are two brave boys to be ac- cused of atrocious crimes, and not endeavour to sustain their untarnislied honour?” OE a a aS Eomichsoo S (<(0)