He would have been captured
last night in my house, but he ran away in my absence; and I have been
following the bandit for sixteen hours."
He spoke with extraordinary vehemence and volubility, beside himself
with fear lest he was about to lose his reward, and lest his treason
would bring him nothing save disgrace and obloquy.
"If you have any right to the reward, you must prove it before the
proper authorities," said the officer in command.
"If I have any right!" interrupted Balstain; "who contests my right,
then?"
He looked threateningly around, and his eyes fell on Chupin.
"Is it you?" he demanded. "Do you dare to assert that you discovered the
brigand?"
"Yes, it was I who discovered his hiding-place."
"You lie, impostor!" vociferated the innkeeper; "you lie!"
The soldiers did not move. This scene repaid them for the disgust they
had experienced during the afternoon.
"But," continued Balstain, "what else could one expect from a vile knave
like Chupin? Everyone knows that he has been obliged to flee from France
a dozen times on account of his crimes.
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