Sharpes Havoc   ::   Корнуэлл Бернард

And when that happened, Argenton had promised Christopher, the army would mutiny. The war had to be stopped, Argenton said, or else, like a great fire, it would consume all Europe. It was a madness, he said, a madness of the Emperor who seemed intent on conquering the whole world. „He believes he is Alexander the Great,” the Frenchman said gloomily, „and if he doesn’t stop then there will be nothing left of France. Who are we to fight? Everyone? Austria? Prussia? Britain? Spain? Portugal? Russia?”

„Never Russia,” Christopher said, „even Bonaparte is not that mad.”

„He is mad,” Argenton insisted, „and we must rid France of him.” And the start of the process, he believed, would be the mutiny that would surely erupt when Soult declared himself a king.

„Your army is unhappy,” Christopher allowed, „but will they follow you into mutiny?”

„I would not lead it,” Argenton said, „but there are men who will. And those men want to take the army back to France and that, I assure you, is what most of the soldiers want. They will follow.”

„Who are these leaders?” Christopher asked swiftly.

Argenton hesitated. Any mutiny was a dangerous business and if the identities of the leaders became known then there could be an orgy of firing squads.

Christopher saw his hesitation. „If we are to persuade the British authorities that your plans are worth supporting,” he said, „then we must give them names. We must. And you must trust us, my friend.” Christopher placed a hand over his heart. „I swear to you upon my honor that I shall never betray those names. Never!”

Argenton, reassured, listed the men who would lead the revolt against Soult. There was Colonel Lafitte, the commanding officer of his own regiment, and the Colonel’s brother, and they were supported by Colonel Donadieu of the 47th Regiment of the Line. „They are respected,” Argenton said earnestly, „and the men will follow them.” He gave more names that Christopher jotted down in his notebook, but he observed that none of the mutineers was above the rank of colonel.

„An impressive list,” Christopher lied, then he smiled. „Now give me another name. Tell me who in your army would be your most dangerous opponent.”

„Our most dangerous opponent?” Argenton was puzzled by the question.

„Other than Marshal Soult, of course,” Christopher went on. „I want to know who we should watch. Who, perhaps, we might want to, how can I put it? Render safe?”

„Ah.” Argenton understood now and he thought for a short while.