ill you not?' said I; 'was not the sentence just?'
He paused a minute, and then replied, 'All sentences are just when an
enemy is dangerous.' Then said I as in surprise, 'Why, was he no spy,
after all?' He sat back, and laughed a little. 'A spy according to the
letter of the law, but you have heard of secret history--eh?' I tried
to seem puzzled, for I had a thought there was something private between
you and him which has to do with your fate. So I said, as if bewildered,
'You mean there is evidence which was not shown at the trial?' He
answered slowly, 'Evidence that would bear upon the morals, not the law
of the case.' Then said I, 'Has it to do with you, monsieur?' 'It has
to do with France,' he replied. 'And so you will not have his death?'
I asked. 'Bigot wishes it,' he replied, 'for no other reason than that
Madame Cournal has spoken nice words for the good-looking captain, and
because that unsuccessful duel gave Vaudreuil an advantage over himself.
Vaudreuil wishes it because he thinks it will sound well in France, and
also because he really believes the man a spy. The Council do not care
much; they follow the Governor and Bigot, and both being agreed,
their verdict is unanimous.' He paused, then added, 'And the Seigneur
Duvarney--and his daughter--wish it because of a notable injury to one
of their name.' At that I cautiously replied, 'No, my father does not
wish it, for my brother gave the offense, and Captain Moray saved his
life, as you know. I do not wish it, Monsieur Doltaire, because hanging
is a shameful death, and he is a gentle man, not a ruffian. Let him be
shot like a gentleman. How will it sound at the Court of France that, on
insufficient evidence, as you admit, an English gentleman was hanged for
a spy? Would not the King say (for he is a gentleman), Why was not this
shown me before the man's death? Is it not a matter upon which a country
would feel as gentlemen feel?'

"I knew it the right thing to say at the moment, and it seemed the only
way to aid you, though I intended, if the worst came to the worst, to go
myself to the Governor at the last and plead for your life, at least
for a reprieve. But it had suddenly flashed upon me that a reference to
France was the thing, since the Articles of War which you are accused of
dishonouring were signed by officers from France and England.

"Presently he turned to me with a look of curiosity, and another sort of
look also that made me tremble, and said,