"
"An obstinate fellow, truly!" said the general, half to himself. "What
do you call yourself?"
Then followed a conversation very similar to that which had taken
place at Tchorgoun.
"I, too, knew your father," said the general, shaking his head. "It is
a bad case; I fear you must expect the worst."
"I shall meet it as a soldier should," replied McKay, stoutly. "But I
shall always protest, even with my dying breath, that I have been
foully and shamefully used. I appeal to you, a Russian officer of
high rank, of whose name I am ignorant--"
"My name is Todleben, of the Imperial Engineers."
McKay started, and, notwithstanding the imminent peril of his
position, looked with interest upon the man who was known, even in the
British lines, as the heart and soul of the defence.
"I appeal to you, sir," he pleaded, "as a general officer, a man of
high honour and known integrity, to protect me from outrage."
"I can do nothing," replied Todleben, gravely, shrugging his
shoulders. "The Prince himself will decide. Take him away. I cannot
waste time with him if he is not disposed to speak. Let him be kept a
close prisoner until the Prince is ready to see him."
The general then bent his head over his plans, and took no further
notice of McKay.
Our hero was again marched into the yard, made to remount, re-bound,
and led off towards the principal part of the town.
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