Despard, the Spy: Or, The Fall of Montreal — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

THE SORCERER. 26 Aha! is that Monsieur lc Sergeant Deschappelles I see there ? Shall I tell the tale of a crime committed by the side of the river, and how ghastly the face of the murdered man looked as it floated away under the stnimer sity ?” The man to whom this speech was directed uttered a low cry of surprise and fear, at which Conrad chuckled fiercely. “T touched you there,” he cried. “ There is no man among you in whose coat I can not find a hole.” Thereis Justin Le- febre, slinking behind the major. Who broke into the house on Nétrc Dame, and stoie the silver tea service and the large gold watch ?” “Monsieur !” shouted the man, in an agony of fear, “ be careful of the statements you make, or you may have to prove them.” “That is easily done, Justin. But, you are not alone in this. There are five of you, thieves, liars and murderers, every man. You are the sneak of tie party. The rest are the cat’s-paws to pull the major’s chesinuts out of the fire.” “Endurance is past,” shouted Dujardin. “ Down with the door!” Not a man stirred. Naturally superstitious, they believed that the curse Conrad had invoked would surely fail upon the man who touched the door. They looked at one another in consternation. “Are you fools and cowards as well as what the knave called you?” said the major. : “Give me’ the ax.” “Hold there !’ said Despard, uppearing suddenly at the wicket. “I am here, Major Mariot Dujardin.’ What can I do for you ?” “Ah !” stammered the other. ‘So you are here indeed ! You will please to come out and place yourself in my charge.” . “ Excuse me. Call the guard at the barrier yonder. I will go with them, not with you.” “Do you suspect me ?” “Most decidedly. You are not the sort of company I care for in a dark night and in a narrow street. The guard at the barrier are honorable soldiers, not in your pay. It will be a pleasure to me to make a statement to the officer in charge in reference to his companion in arms, Major Dujardin.” CconmicoookSsE