You may
depend upon that. If Miss Roussillon knew where it is she'd say
so, and then dare you to make her tell where it's hidden." "Oh,
the whole devilish town is rotten with treason; that's very clear.
There's not a loyal soul in it outside of my forces."
"Thank you for not including me among the loyalists."
"Humph, I spoke of these French people; they pretend to be true;
but I believe they are all traitors,"
"You can manage them if you try. A little jolly kindness goes a
long way with 'em. _I_ had no trouble while _I_ held the town."
Hamilton bit his lip and was silent. Helm was exasperatingly good
tempered, and his jocularity was irresistible. While he was yet
speaking a guard came up followed by Jean, the hunchback, and
saluting said to Hamilton:
"The lad wants to see the young lady, sir."
Hamilton gazed quizzically at Jean, who planted himself in his
habitual attitude before him and stared up into his face with the
grotesque expression which seems to be characteristic of
hunchbacks and unfledged birds--the look of an embodied and
hideous joke.
"Well, sir, what will you have?" the Governor demanded.
"I want to see Alice, if you please."
"What for?"
"I want to give her a book to read."
"Ah, indeed. Where is it? Let me see it"
Jean took from the breast of his loose jerkin a small volume, dog-
eared and mildewed, and handed it to Hamilton.
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