"Where is the flag?"
"Why, isn't it there?"
"No, you see it isn't there! Where is it?"
The priest stood as if dumfounded, gazing into the vacant space
uncovered by the puncheon.
"Is it gone? Has some one taken it away?"
They turned up all the floor to no avail. La banniere d'Alice
Roussillon had disappeared, and Captain Farnsworth went forthwith
to report the fact to his commander. When he reached the shed at
the angle of the fort he found Governor Hamilton sitting stupid
and dazed on the ground. One jaw was inflamed and swollen and an
eye was half closed and bloodshot. He turned his head with a
painful, irregular motion and his chin sagged.
Farnsworth sprang to him and lifted him to his feet; but he could
scarcely stand. He licked his lips clumsily.
"What is the matter? What hurt you?"
The Governor rubbed his forehead trying to recollect.
"He struck me," he presently said with difficulty. "He hit me with
his fist Where--where is he?"
"Who?"
"That big French idiot--that Roussillon--go after him, take him,
shoot him--quick! I have been stunned; I don't know how long he's
been gone. Give the alarm--do something!"
Hamilton, as he gathered his wits together, began to foam with
rage, and his passion gave his bruised and swollen face a terrible
look.
The story was short, and may be quickly told.
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