They watched him interestedly.
"Colonel," he said, "make no effort to seek Beauvais. As for
Kopf, that is different. But Beauvais--"
"To let him go?" exclaimed the Colonel in dismay.
"Aye, to let him go. We do not seek bears with birdshot, and
that is all we have. He will leave the country."
"And go to the duchy!"
"So much the better; when the time comes, our case against him
will be so much the stronger. Mind you, this is not from
sentiment. I have none," glaring around to see if any dared
refute this assertion. "It is policy, and Monseigneur concurs
with me."
"But I have sent men after him!" cried the Colonel, in keen
disappointment.
"Send men after them to rescind the order."
"And if they should catch him?"
"Let him go; that is my order. The servant will be sufficient
for our needs. Monsieur Carewe, I rely on your discretion;" and
the Marshal passed into the kitchens.
The men looked at each other in silence. A moment later the
Colonel dashed from the room, off to the stables.
"Well, I'm off," said Maurice. The desire to tell what he knew
was beginning to master him. It was too late now, he saw that.
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