‘It must have been a terrible shock for Major Crevel,’ said Cadogan. ‘To wake up half-naked in a ditch, I mean.’
‘I think our picquets had an even greater shock,’ noted Daniel. ‘They thought they’d captured a French officer and they carried me off as if I was a wondrous prize. Imagine their disappointment when they discovered that I was a captain in a British regiment.’
‘They should have applauded your audacity, Daniel.’
‘They cursed me for not telling them the truth at the start.’
‘Your mission was a success, that’s the main thing.’
‘Yes, I expected to be there for days before I gleaned anything that I could report back to you. It was pure happenstance that information fell into my hands on that first night.’
‘There’s that modesty creeping in again,’ observed Cadogan. ‘Nothing in your life occurs by accident, Daniel. You’re the most deliberate human being I’ve ever met. You went there in search of intelligence and, by Jove, you found it straight away. Your secret was to pick the right man.’
‘It was a case of in vino veritas.’
‘None of us is immune to the seductive power of the grape.’
‘As a wine merchant,’ said Daniel, taking a sip before holding up his glass, ‘I’m inclined to agree.’
Cadogan laughed again. In spite of his weight and girth, he was really in his element when mounted and adored nothing more than leading his cavalry into battle. Daniel had seen and admired his fearlessness in action. But he also admired Cadogan’s ability to carry a whole range of responsibilities so lightly. Here was the man who drew up the order of battle for the Confederate army, taking account of the differing priorities of the various nations and making sure that commanders between whom there was friction were kept well apart. Soldier, diplomat, spymaster, gambler and quartermaster, Cadogan radiated life. Daniel found it a pleasure to be in his company.
‘What you’ve told me accords with my own instincts,’ said Cadogan. ‘I sensed that Burgundy was a complete novice. Why march towards Brussels when he could test our horse near Huy? That’s the direction he should be taking.’
‘It’s exactly what the duc de Vendome suggested,’ said Daniel, ‘but he was overruled. His plan was to lay siege to Huy.’
‘That’s because he’s an experienced soldier. It must be galling for him to have to listen to a posturing ninny like Burgundy. I’ll wager that the pair of them have some rare old arguments.’
‘Vendome is known for his blunt speech.’
Cadogan chuckled. ‘That’s not all he’s known for! If rumours are correct, he has a taste for pretty young officers.’
‘Then Major Crevel is safe from his attentions,’ said Daniel with a grin. ‘Even his own mother would never describe him as pretty. After a night in a ditch, he must have looked a sorry sight.’
The duc de Vendome read the report with gathering fury. When he’d finished, he tossed it on the ground in disgust then rounded on Lieutenant Valeran who was alone with him in the tent.
‘Can this be true?’ he demanded.
‘I fear that it is, Your Grace.’
‘Were there witnesses to this disgrace?’
‘Yes,’ replied Valeran. ‘Major Crevel was hauled out of a ditch by a patrol. At first, they refused to believe he was what he claimed to be. They took him for some kind of madman.’
‘I can well understand that. Send for him, Lieutenant.’
‘I took the liberty of doing so. The major will be here directly.’
‘Crevel may arrive as a major but he certainly won’t leave as one,’ said Vendome, vengefully. ‘I don’t reward incompetence.’ He looked meaningfully at his companion. ‘Those who displease me get short shrift. Only those who impress me can look for promotion.’
‘Thank you, Your Grace,’ said Valeran, obsequiously.
Hearing the sound of footsteps outside, they turned towards the tent flap. A guard entered, ushered Major Crevel in, then withdrew. Vendome glowered at the newcomer. Valeran made as if to leave but the general signalled that he was to remain. Crevel, meanwhile, was standing to attention as he braced himself for the onslaught. Now restored to a uniform, he was uneasy and shamefaced.
‘Major Crevel,’ began Vendome.
‘Yes, Your Grace?’ answered the other.
‘Is it your habit to sleep unclothed in a muddy ditch?’
‘No, no, it’s most uncharacteristic of me but I had no choice. I was set on by three villains. When they’d beaten me black and blue, they stole my uniform and left me unconscious.’
‘I see no bruising on your face.’
‘They punched and kicked my body,’ claimed Crevel, ‘then left me to die of my injuries. As you see,’ he continued, straightening, ‘I returned to duty at the earliest possible opportunity.’
‘Yes,’ said Vendome, ‘but only after the patrol had rescued you. According to the report, you behaved like a raving lunatic.’
‘I deny that, Your Grace. I may have been a little outspoken but I was entitled to be in the circumstances. The truth is that I was still distracted after my beating.’
‘Is that the beating administered by those three rogues?’
‘Yes, it was.’
‘Then where did they suddenly spring from?’
‘They were lying in wait in the privy,’ said Crevel, trying to brazen it out. ‘As I approached, they ambushed me. I had no chance against such odds.’
‘Ah, I see…and what about your friend, Lieutenant Jauzion?’
‘Sebastien?’
‘At the time you say you were set on by three men, his dead body was in the privy.’ Crevel gulped. It was news to him. ‘Are you asking me to believe that it was big enough to conceal four human beings?’
‘Sebastien is dead?’ croaked Crevel. ‘How could that be?’
‘If you’d stayed awake long enough, you might have saved his life. He was stabbed to death with his own dagger. When they found his corpse in the privy, your friends were certain that the killer was a wine merchant whom you befriended in the course of the evening.’ He snapped his fingers and Valeran retrieved the report from the ground before handing it to him. Vendome glanced at it. ‘The man’s name was Marcel Daron. Do you have any memory of him?’
‘Yes, I do. He was good company.’
‘Lieutenant Jauzion might not agree with that judgement.’
‘Poor Sebastien…I can’t believe he’s dead!’
‘It’s more than probable that he was murdered under your very nose. And not by three ruffians,’ Vendome went on, curling his lip. ‘He was stabbed by this so-called wine merchant, the same man who stripped you of your uniform and tossed you into a ditch.’ He took a step closer. ‘Why did you lie to me?’
‘I was telling the truth,’ bleated Crevel.
‘The only person you told the truth to was that crafty wine merchant, who will no doubt convey everything you divulged to his masters in the Confederate army. You were duped by a spy, Major Crevel. And you allowed a fine officer like Lieutenant Jauzion to be killed because you were too drunk and incapable to save him. What have you to say for yourself?’
Crevel’s head drooped. ‘It won’t happen again, Your Grace.’
‘Oh, there’s no danger of that,’ said Vendome, vindictively. ‘Nobody will be able to filch the uniform of a major in the French army again because you, sir, are no longer entitled to wear it. Take it off.’
‘I must protest,’ howled Crevel. ‘I hold my rank with honour.’
‘Take it off!’ roared Vendome. ‘Or I’ll tear it from your body with my bare hands.’
‘The matter must be referred to the duc de Burgundy.’