Rules of War. Iain Gale
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Название: Rules of War
Автор: Iain Gale
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Историческая литература
isbn: 9780007283415
isbn:
‘I am sure that you will find them in time. In France perhaps. For the present though, you are my prisoner, Commandant. I trust that we can agree on your parole?’
There was a noise from behind them, hooves and a clatter of hobnailed shoes ringing on the cobbles. Steel called across the square: ‘Alarm. Grenadiers. To me.’
A score of his men came running from the prisoners and reached him while the newcomers were still hidden in the shadows of the street. Steel heard them before he saw their faces or their coats.
‘Hold, there!’
The voice was English and he recognized it instantly. Into the square rode the Duke of Argyll, followed on foot by his sergeant, a young captain and a half-company of Scots infantry. Argyll galloped hard across the square, his sword drawn, straight for Steel. ‘Hold hard, sir. Who are you?’ He checked his impetus and pulled hard on the horse’s reins. ‘Why, it’s Captain Steel.’
His surprise turned to astonishment as he surveyed the scene. Saw the dead French infantry, the ground awash with their blood. He grinned at Steel. ‘By God, sir. You have done well. Six dead and two more to go? You surprise me, Steel. I had taken you for a weaker man.’
He turned to the sergeant who had followed up with the rest of the redcoats. ‘You see, McKellar. You must not judge a man by first appearances. Well done, sir.’
Steel shook his head: ‘You mistake me, My Lord. I am not the author of this murder. This is the work of the village militia. It is torture, sir. No more than torture and murder, done in cold blood. If we had not come upon them when we did the commandant here and his lieutenant would have also suffered horribly.’
Argyll’s grin fell away. ‘Torture? Murder? By God, sir. I was not mistaken then. You are a friend of the French.’
Slaughter had arrived back from the barn and, seeing Argyll, snapped to attention next to Steel. ‘That’s all the men locked away, sir. Under guard. Their officer too, sir.’
Argyll squinted: ‘What? Who’s locked away? What officer?’
Slaughter turned directly to the question: ‘Why the village militia, Your Honour. Them that did this. We have them under guard, sir.’
‘Then you will damn well remove your guard, sergeant. Forthwith.’
Slaughter smiled: ‘Now that, Your Honour, I cannot do as Captain Steel himself has ordered me to place them under guard.’
Argyll, his face puce, turned to Steel: ‘Captain Steel, I will not have this rank insubordination in my brigade. Place this man on a charge and then see to the release of your prisoners. My God man, they’re on our side!’
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