'And that lead will come. The two most powerful men in France are Talleyrand and Fouche. As you well know, the former has been my close friend since my first years in France, while the latter, who at one time was my most bitter enemy, agreed with me to let bygones be bygones at the time of Brumaire. Up till that time they, too, were enemies; but it was I who brought them together and, between them, it was they who made possible the success of the coup d'etat that raised Bonaparte to First Consul and Dictator. Now, as they have both told me, they are again leagued together, and have vowed to bring Napoleon down.'
Roger had been so engrossed in what he was saying and Georgina in listening to him, that neither of them had consciously heeded the clatter on the pave of a number of rapidly approaching horses. A moment later a small cavalcade came into view. It consisted of a large traveling coach escorted by a troop of French Hussars.
The coach came to a halt in front of the low terrace of the inn, immediately opposite the place where Roger and Georgina were sitting. The door swung open, and a tall, lean officer jumped out. He was clad in the resplendent uniform of a Marshal of the Empire. Above the gleaming black, gold tasseled Hessian boots and white doeskin breeches, the blue tail coat was heavily embellished with gold braid. His chest was a blaze of diamond studded decorations. Above his hawk like face his cocked hat carried waving ostrich feathers a foot high. As he glanced up, Roger instantly recognised him as Pierre Augereau, Due de Castiglione.
Recognition was mutual. Staring at Roger in amazement, the Marshal exclaimed:
'Blood of my guts! What in the devil's name are you doing here, Breuc, taking your ease with your woman? Why are you not making the ground fly beneath a horse's hooves? Do you not realise that the authorities are after you for murder?'
2
The Gamin Marshal
Roger had come to his feet. Staring down at the tall Marshal, he exclaimed, 'Murder! I have committed no murder.'
'Should you be brought to trial by the Prussian authorities, you'll be hard put to it to prove you have not,' Augereau retorted.
Picking up the news sheet from the table, Roger said, 'I take it you refer to this the deaths of the Baron von Haugwitz and my wife?'
'What else? All Coblenz is agog with it. Last night in the Mess at headquarters, they did naught but make wagers on whether or not you would get away.'
'They were not murdered,' Roger insisted firmly, 'They met their deaths by accident.'
'You say so; but what other interpretation can be put upon the facts? The servants declare that you were having an affaire with the Baron's wife.' Belatedly, Augereau lifted his plumed hat to Georgina, as he added, 'and as tempting a piece as a man could wish to see. For that who could blame you? But 'tis another matter when you make off with her and, within a few hours, her husband and your own wife are found to be corpses. It stares one in the face that, fearing the Baron would put the police on your track and have them bring his wife back, before leaving you to decide to make certain of keeping her by taking his life. How otherwise could it have come about that his body and that of your wife were found hidden at the bottom, of a wine press? There is evidence enough that they, too were having an affaire; but both, it emerges had their own rooms, so could have bounced each other in the bed of either. Who could conceivably believe that instead they elected to have a romp in a wine press, and both walked downstairs stark naked for the purpose?'
To that, Marshal, I can offer no explanation,' Roger declared. I can only assert that when the Frau Baronln and I read this news sheet a few hours ago, we were utterly amazed by its contents. Upon that I give you my oath. Naturally, we had expected that, as soon as von Haugwitz learned of our flight he would take such steps as lie could to get back his wife; and had we been caught on the far side of the Rhine, I would have been, compelled to give her up. That is why, as soon as we possibly could, we crossed into French territory, where the Prussian authorities have no jurisdiction.'
'You are right that they have none in civil matters. And, had things been as you say you supposed them to be, von Haugwitz would have been powerless to prevent your getting away with his Baroness. But you are wanted on the criminal charge that you murdered him and your wife. By now the Prussians will have applied to the French authorities for your apprehension and extradition. It was believing you must realise that which caused me such amazement to come upon you placidly sitting there enjoying the autumn sunshine.'
Roger's face had become grim and he said, I'll admit that the marriages of both the Baroness and myself were most unhappy. In the circumstances this morning’s news that we were free of them came as a relief. Since receiving it we have thought of little else, so the possible consequences to us of this tragedy had not entered my mind.
But I see now that our situation may soon become a desperate one.'
While they had been talking, the escort had dismounted and were helping an ostler, who had run out of the stable yard, to change the horses drawing the coach. From its far side, an A.D.G. had emerged, run up the steps to the terrace and was shouting to the waiter to bring a bottle of the best wine.
Augereau now followed him and, his great, gold hilted sabre clanking on the stones came striding toward Roger's table. Roger presented the Marshal to Georgina and, as he bowed over her hand, said quickly, 'In view of what you tell me, Marshal, you'll excuse us if we leave at once. Fortunately, the few things we have with us are already packed, as we had intended to set off after an early midday meal.'
Augereau waved him back to his seat. 'You have no need to bust your guts now. D'you think I'd stand by and let your handsome head be lopped off because you've given the conge to some pissing German Baron? The Emperor would never forgive me, let alone the Army that speaks of you as "le brave Breuc". Nay, I'll take you both with me, and under my protection you can spit in the eye of any official who attempts to detain you. All Europe knows well enough that anyone who interferes with Pierre Augereau courts death.'
In that he made no idle boast. Augereau was the most redoubtable swordsman in the whole of the Grand Army. Even Roger, who was also renowned for his swordplay, would not have dared challenge him to a duel. He had killed scores of men and, given the least provocation, never thought twice before drawing his sword and driving it through a man's body.
With a sigh of relief, Roger exclaimed, 'Indeed, Marshal, for this generous act the Baroness and I will forever be your debtors!'
Georgina, who spoke French fluently, had followed the whole conversation. Smiling up at Augereau, she said, 'Fortune has truly smiled on us in sending you here at this moment, Monseigneur le Duc, I would not take the Emperor himself in exchange for you as our protector.'
Returning her smile, he casually chucked her under the chin, and replied, 'De Breuc asserts that he did not kill your husband; but I would have for the chance of playing his part with such a peach as you, Madame.'
The A.D.C. had joined them and Augereau introduced him as Colonel Laborde. At that moment the waiter hurried up with two bottles of wine, and glasses. Instead of waiting for the wine to be poured, the Marshal took one of the bottles, put the neck to his mouth, tilted it and swallowed half the contents without drawing breath. Setting the bottle down, he gave a gasp, licked his lips and said:
'Ah! That's better; it's laid some of the dust from these infernal roads. Now, I have no time to lose. I halted only to change horses and give my men a chance to quench their thirsts. In five minutes we must be on our way. Go now, collect your baggage and pay your score as swiftly as you can.'