Belle-Rose — page 129: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

118 THE EVE OF THE LAST DAY. sidering the action of Belle-Rose as a case of legitimate defense, dismissed the accusation of a criminal attempt against the person of an officer. The crime of desertion alone remained for consideration. “After your duel with Lieutenant Villebrais, why did you not return to Laon, where your company then was?” said the major. “That was my first intention, but an accident prevented. me.’ ‘A wound, perhaps? NY ‘Yes, major. “But you might have written and set out after your cure. ’ | ‘That is true. ’’ ‘By remaining where you were, do you know that you rendered yourself guilty of the crime of desertion?’’ ‘‘T know it and recognize myself as guilty.’’ ‘‘Have you some explanations to give as to the causes of your absencs3?”’ Belle-Rose shook his head. The major exchanged some words with the members of the court-martial, and, turn- ing to Belle-Rose, asked him if he had anything to add in his defense. Upon his negative reply, he ordered him to ~be taken back to prison. The squad of infantry went out with the accused, the hall was vacated, and the court en- tered on its deliberations. Toward evening the sergeant of the guard opened the prison door. ‘‘Rise, comrade, and follow me,”’ he said, “Where do you take me?’’ asked Belle-Rose. ‘“Bless me! to a place where one goes but once.’’ ‘To the dungeon of the provost guard?’’ The sergeant bowed. ‘‘Well,’’ continued Belle-Rose, ‘‘I understand. ”’ He was placed between four cannoneers and taken to the dungeon, which was not in the same building. It was a small, narrow, vaulted room which received its light through two dormer-windows provided with strong iron bars. <A pallet was in one corner, a bench against the wall, and a wooden Christ on the door. It was a somber, cold, and humid place, something like the antechamber of a sepulcher. The provost of the regiment received Belle- Rose and placed his name upon the dungeon register. A moment after the adjtitant and clerk entered. The clerk held a paper in his hand. Belle-Rose uncovered himself, —_—— comicbooks.co