In spite of the
seriousness of our joint state, I felt much inclination to take time,
then and there, to box his ears, and tell him to be more forthright.
My annoyance made it easier for me to come without phrases to the meat
of the matter. I pressed him to a chair, and stood over him.
"You looked out of the window, Monsieur Starling. What did you learn?"
He glanced upward. "The Indians are excited. Am I the cause?"
"Yes, monsieur."
His glance fell. "They want me--for torture," he said, with steadiness
I could not but commend. Then he turned suddenly. "Can your
commandant protect me?"
Now this was unexpected. I had intended to lead up to this situation
gradually, and the question caught me unguarded. The prisoner was
looking me full in the face, and he read there what I had hoped to hide.
"I understand," he said.
I have been with many men when they heard their death sentence, and
those who take it as this man did, with spirit and knowledge, rob me of
my hold on myself, so that I show emotion of which I am ashamed. I
turned away. "Wait, wait, monsieur, I have not said all!" I cried.
"There is still one chance for you."
He shook his head. "Small chance for me with that swarm outside.
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