They halted an instant, looking at the unusual
concourse; while the townsfolk, interrupted in the middle of the
drama, knew not which way to stare. Then Boisrueil, seeing me,
and that I was holding some sort of court, spurred his horse
through the press, and saluted me.
"Let half-a-dozen of your varlets dismount and guard these men,"
I said; "and do you, you rogue," I continued, addressing
Gringuet, "answer me, and tell me the truth. How much does each
of these knaves give you to cheat the King, and your master?
Curtin first. How much does he give you?"
"My lord," he answered, pale and shaking, yet with a mutinous
gleam in his eyes, "I have a right to know first before whom I
stand."
"Enough," I thundered, "that it is before one who has the right
to question you! answer me, villain, and be quick. What is the
sum of Curtin's bribe?"
He stood white and mute.
"Fonvelle's?"
Still he stood silent, glaring with the devil in his eyes; while
the other men whimpered and protested their innocence, and the
crowd stared as if they could never see enough.
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