"
The miserable wretch seemed crushed. Now that he had done this foul
deed, he knew what treason really was.
"So be it," said M. Lacheneur. "You will receive the price of my blood;
but it will not bring you good fortune--traitor!"
But Chupin, indignant with himself for his weakness, was already trying
to shake off the fear that mastered him.
"You have conspired against the King," he stammered. "I have done only
my duty in denouncing you."
And turning to the soldiers, he said:
"As for you, comrades, you may rest assured that the Duc de Sairmeuse
will testify his gratitude for your services."
They had bound Lacheneur's hands, and the party were about to
descend the mountain, when a man appeared, bareheaded, covered with
perspiration, and panting for breath.
Twilight was falling, but M. Lacheneur recognized Balstain.
"Ah! you have him!" he exclaimed, as soon as he was within hearing
distance, and pointing to the prisoner. "The reward belongs to me--I
denounced him first on the other side of the frontier. The gendarmes at
Saint-Jean-de-Coche will testify to that.
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