"My news is not of much general importance," returned the Count; "but to you, Baron, it may afford some satisfaction. At length I have found that immaculate officer, Lieutenant Stanisloff, tripping, if indeed I do not succeed in proving him a traitor. As he was to mount one of the outer guards to-night, it occurred to me that he might perhaps communicate with that arch-traitor, your once adopted son, whom, as I told you, I recognised among the horde of the mountain barbarians we were engaged with yesterday. I, therefore, having gone my rounds, waited for some time, and returned to his post; but when summoned, he did not answer: he was nowhere to be found. I, therefore, left my orderly to watch him, enjoining secrecy, and called others to witness that he was absent from his post, in the face of the enemy. My orderly has just come in to say, that after a long absence, he returned from the direction of the mountains. He is, therefore, entirely in your power; but I would not seize him without first consulting your wishes." "Then haste, seize him, and bring him here at once," said the Baron. "To-morrow he shall die." The Count hurried off to obey, and during his absence, which lasted some time, the Baron strode up and down the room in an angry mood. At length the Count returned with Thaddeus Stanisloff, his prisoner, strongly guarded. "So, Lieutenant Stanisloff," said the Baron, glaring fiercely at him, "you have been absent from your post when before the enemy. You have held conversation with an arch-traitor to the Emperor, and you are suspected of an intention to desert your colours." "Whoever accuses me," exclaimed Thaddeus, returning the Baron's look firmly, "speaks a foul and slanderous falsehood, if he says that I am, or ever have been wanting, in my allegiance to the Emperor." "I accuse you," cried the Count stepping forward. "I myself discovered that you were absent from your post." "I grant it," replied Thaddeus firmly; "and I await my punishment; but, beyond that, whoever was your informer is a vile slanderer." "Know you not that even for what you acknowledge to have done, your punishment is death?" said the Baron. "Confess therefore where you went, or expect no mercy." "I expect no mercy at your hands," answered Thaddeus. "If I deserve death, I am prepared to meet it." "Hear me, obstinate youth," cried the Baron, "you have held some communication with my once reputed son. You may do so again, but in the company of some trusty guards; and if I can see him safe within the walls of this fort, not only shall you go free, and your crime be overlooked, but your rise shall be rapid in the army, and honours and distinctions shall await you."