The soldiers could scarcely believe their eyes when they saw this robust
young fellow, who had been so insolent and defiant a few hours before,
so overcome that they were obliged to carry him to his cell.
There, his lamentations were redoubled; and he begged the guard to go
to the Duc de Sairmeuse, or the Marquis de Courtornieu, and tell them he
had revelations of the greatest importance to make.
That potent word "revelations" made M. de Courtornieu hasten to the
prisoner's cell.
He found Chanlouineau on his knees, his features distorted by what was
apparently an agony of fear. The man dragged himself toward him, took
his hands and kissed them, imploring mercy and forgiveness, swearing
that to preserve his life he was ready to do anything, yes, anything,
even to deliver up M. Lacheneur.
To capture Lacheneur! Such a prospect had powerful attractions for the
Marquis de Courtornieu.
"Do you know, then, where this brigand is concealed?" he inquired.
Chanlouineau admitted that he did not know, but declared that
Marie-Anne, Lacheneur's daughter, knew her father's hiding-place.
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