" He tried to strike his breast over
his heart.
"Perhaps it would be just as well to let him be shot," said
Hamilton gruffly, and with dry indifference. "I don't fancy that
he's of much value to the community at best. He'll make a good
target for a squad, and we need an example."
"Do you mean it?--you ugly English brute--would you murder him?"
she stamped her foot.
"Not if I get that flag between now and sundown. Otherwise I shall
certainly have him shot. It is all in your hands, Mademoiselle.
You can tell me where the flag is." Hamilton smiled again with
exquisite cruelty.
Farnsworth stood by gazing upon Alice in open admiration. Her
presence had power in it, to which he was very susceptible.
"You look like a low, dishonorable, soulless tyrant," she said to
Hamilton, "and if you get my flag, how shall I know that you will
keep your promise and let Papa Roussillon go free?"
"I am sorry to say that you will have to trust me, unless you'll
take Captain Farnsworth for security. The Captain is a gentleman,
I assure you. Will you stand good for my veracity and sincerity,
Captain Farnsworth?"
The young man smiled and bowed.
Alice felt the irony; and her perfectly frank nature preferred to
trust rather than distrust the sincerity of others. She looked at
Farnsworth, who smiled encouragingly.
"The flag is under Father Beret's floor," she said.
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