Then: "If I understand
you correctly, Monsieur de Samoval, your fortunes have suffered
deeply, and you are almost ruined by this policy of Wellington's.
You are offered the opportunity of making a magnificent recovery.
The Emperor is the most generous paymaster in the world, and he is
beyond measure impatient at the manner in which the campaign in the
Peninsula is dragging on. He has spoken of it as an ulcer that is
draining the Empire of its resources. For the man who could render
him the service of disclosing the weak spot in this armour, the
Achilles heel of the British, there would be a reward beyond all
your possible dreams. Obtain the plans, then, and - "
He checked abruptly. The door had opened, and in a Venetian mirror
facing him upon the wall the major caught the reflection of a British
uniform, the stiff gold collar surmounted by a bronzed hawk face
with which he was acquainted.
"I beg your pardon, gentlemen," said the officer in Portuguese, "I
was looking for - "
His voice became indistinct, so that they never knew who it was that
he had been seeking when he intruded upon their privacy. The door
had closed again and the reflection had vanished from the mirror.
But there were beads of perspiration on the major's brow.
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