The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard - How the Brigadier Slew The Brothers of Ajaccio Part 2

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PART II of CHAPTER II of The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.
I had, of course, seen him in camp a hundred times, but I had never been face to face with him before. I have no doubt that if you had met him without knowing in the least who he was, you would simply have said that he was a sallow little fellow, with a good forehead and fairly well turned calves. His tight white cashmere britches and white stockings showed off his legs to advantage. But even a stranger must have been struck by the singular look of his eyes, which could harden into an expression which would frighten a grenadier. It is said that even Agarau, who was a man who had never known what fear was, quailed before Napoleon's gaze, at a time, too, when the emperor was but an unknown soldier. He looked mildly enough at me, however, and motioned me to remain by the door. de Monval was right into his dictation, looking up at him between each sentence with his spaniel eyes. That will do. You can go, said the emperor abruptly. Then when the secretary had left the room, he strode across with his hands behind his back, and he looked me up and down without a word. Though he was a small man himself, he was very fond of having fine-looking fellows about him, and so I think that my appearance gave him pleasure. For my own part, I raised one hand to the salute, and held the other upon the hilt of my sabre, looking straight ahead of me, as a soldier should. Well, Monsieur Gerard, said he at last, tapping his forefinger upon one of the brand-burgs of gold braid upon the front of my pelice, and said, I am informed that you are a very deserving young officer. Your colonel gives me an excellent account of you. I wished to make a brilliant reply, but I could think of nothing save LaSalle's phrase that I was all spurs and mustaches, so it ended in my saying nothing at all.
The emperor watched the struggle, which must have shown itself upon my features, and when finally no answer came, he did not appear to be displeased. I believe that you are the very man that I want, said he. Brave and clever men surround me upon every side, but a brave man who... He did not finish his sentence, and for my own part, I could not understand what he was driving at. I contented myself with assuring him that he could count upon me to the death. You are, as I understand, a good swordsman, said he. Tolerable, sire, I answered. You were chosen by your regiment to fight the champion of the Hussars of Chambron, said he. I was not sorry to find that he knew so much of my exploits. My comrade, sire, did me that honour, said I.
And for the sake of practice, you insulted six fencing masters in the week before your duel.
I had the privilege of being out seven times in as many days, sire, said I. And escaped without a scratch. The fencing master of the 23rd Light Infantry touched me on the left elbow, sire.
Let us have no more child's play of the sort, monsieur, he cried, turning suddenly to that cold rage of his, which was so appalling. Do you imagine that I place veteran soldiers in these positions that you may practice court and tears upon them? How am I to face Europe if my soldiers turn their points upon each other? Another word of your dueling, and I break you between these fingers. I saw his plump white hands flash before my eyes as he spoke, and his voice had turned to the most discordant hissing and growling. My word, my skin pringled all over as I listened to him, and I would gladly have changed my position for that of the first man in the steepest and narrowest breach that ever swallowed up a storming party.
He turned to the table, drank off a cup of coffee, and then, when he faced me again, every trace of this storm had vanished, and he wore that singular smile which came from his lips, but never from his eyes.
I have need of your services, Monsieur Gerard, said he. I may be safer with a good sword at my side, and there are reasons why yours should be the one which I select. But first of all, I must bind you to secrecy. Whilst I live, what passes between us today must be known to none but ourselves. I thought of Talleyron and of La Salle, but I promised. In the next place, I do not want your opinions or conjectures, and I wish you to do exactly what you are told. I bowed. It is your sword that I need and not your brains. I will do the thinking. Is that clear to you? Yes, sire. You know the Chancellor's Grove in the forest? I bowed. You know also the large double fir tree where the hounds assembled on Tuesday? Had he known that I met a girl under it three times a week, he would not have asked me. I bowed once more without remark. Very good. You will meet me there at ten o'clock to-night. I had got past being surprised at anything which might happen. If he had asked me to take his place upon the imperial throne, I could only have nodded my busby.