human
This is terrible, Batoche,
gpt
There is nothing terrible about it, sir. Even if Bouchette had been captured, there would have been nothing terrible. Bouchette is not such a very important personage, and our men have no fears of retribution. They are quite able to take care of themselves. But I had promised Zulma that the man would not be disturbed, and I simply kept my promise. I was near being too late. It was far past midnight when I reached the town, after a weary tramp from Pointe-aux-Trembles. I knew all about the ball and that, of course, Bouchette would be there. We had planned to seize him on his way home from the Castle. Everything turned out as had been anticipated. Our men did their work to perfection. They acted with bravery and intelligence. It was a pity to spoil their success.
human
Did you not arrive upon the scene in advance?
gpt
Yes, a few moments before the assault.
human
Then why did you not prevent it altogether?
gpt
I hadn't the heart to do it. I wanted to give my men and myself that much satisfaction. I wanted to see how my companions would do their duty. Besides, although I had promised not to kidnap Bouchette, I did not promise that I would not give him a good scare.
human
Scare? interrupted M. Belmont contemptuously,
gpt
Bouchette is as brave a man as lives.
human
Right enough, said Batoche with a giggle.
gpt
He showed fight and brandished his cane like a man. So far as scaring went, the attack was a failure.
human
The whole thing was a failure, Batoche. It will ruin us. It will drive me out of the town. I suppose the garrison is in an uproar about it by this time.
gpt
The assailants are not known and cannot be discovered.
human
Exactly, and therefore the innocent will be suspected. Your great mistake was in doing the thing by halves. A real abduction would not have been so bad, for then the victim would not have been there to tell his story. As it is, he has no doubt told it to everybody, and there is no foreseeing what the consequences will be.