"What? has the Comte de Sainte-Hermine been shot?" "No, but he is going to be." "When?" "Why, as soon as we reach the fortress of Auenheim; that is where the executions usually take place." "Then the count is at the fortress?" "No, they are taking him there." "And they will shoot him?" "As soon as I get there." "Then you have charge of the execution?" "No, but I hope they will let me give the order to fire. That is a favor that is seldom refused to any brave soldier taken with his arms in his hand, even if he has emigrated." "Oh, heavens!" exclaimed Charles, catching a glimpse of the truth. "Are--" "Exactly, my young friend. That is why I laughed when you recommended prudence, and why I offered to give my place to any one who wanted it, for I have no fear of losing it. As you said, I am attached." And shaking aside his cloak with a movement of his shoulders, he showed the boy that his hands were fastened in front and his arms bound behind. "Then," cried Charles, with a movement of terror, "you are--" "The Comte de Sainte-Hermine, my child. You see I was right when I said that it is well my poor mother is dead." "Oh!" exclaimed Charles. "Luckily," he continued between his teeth, "my brothers still live!" CHAPTER XVI THE FORAGING CAP Charles looked at the young nobleman with an astonishment that amounted almost to stupefaction. What! Was this young officer, so handsome, so calm, so youthful, about to die? Then there were men who met death smilingly! He had never seen but one man who thought he was about to die, and that was Schneider when Saint-Just had ordered him to be fastened under the guillotine. Schneider had been hideous with terror, his legs bent under him, and they had been obliged to carry him up the scaffold steps. The Comte de Sainte-Hermine, on the contrary, when he was about to die, had gathered all his forces together for the supreme moment. He walked with a light step and a smile on his lips. Charles drew near him. "Is there no way of saving you?" he asked in a low tone. "Frankly, I know of none; if I did I should try it." "But--excuse me; I was far from expecting--" "To travel in such bad company?" "I want to ask you--" and the boy hesitated. "What?" "If I can serve you in any way?" continued Charles, lowering his voice still more. "You can certainly be of some use to me; since I have seen you I have been revolving a scheme." "Tell me what it is." "It may be a little dangerous, and it might frighten you." "I will risk anything to do you a service. I was in Strasbourg for three or four days, and during that time I saw so many things that nothing can frighten me now." "I should like to send a message to my brother." "I will deliver it." "But it is a letter." "I will deliver it." "Are you not afraid of the risk you run?" "I have already told you that nothing can frighten me now." "I suppose I might give it to the captain; he would probably forward it to its destination."