I will
give you ten men. You must guide them."
"As you please. But it will take a week to search all the wood in the
vicinity."
The old man's tranquillity enraged the officer. In fact, the latter
comprehended the asburdity of this search. At that moment he saw
Francoise, pale and trembling, on the bench. The anxious attitude of the
young girl struck him. He was silent for an instant, during which he in
turn examined the miller and his daughter.
At length he demanded roughly of the old man:
"Is not that fellow your child's lover?"
Pere Merlier grew livid and seemed about to hurl himself upon the
officer to strangle him. He stiffened himself but made no answer.
Francoise buried her face in her hands.
"Yes, that's it!" continued the Prussian. "And you or your daughter
helped him to escape! One of you is his accomplice! For the last time,
will you give him up to us?"
The miller uttered not a word. He turned away and looked into space with
an air of indifference, as if the officer had not addressed him. This
brought the latter's rage to a head.
"Very well!" he shouted. "You shall be shot in his place!"
And he again ordered out the platoon of execution. Pere Merlier remained
as stoical as ever.
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