The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-04-22 00:00:00

CHAPTER VI.-THE COUNCIL OF WAR-THE SPY

The next morning his gaoler came and conducted him
into a spacious room, where he found assembled ten or t
officers in uniform. Seated in the middle, a general officer
presided. He made a sign to Rifole to advance, and, after
having demanded his name, Christian name, and place of
birth, asked—" Do you know that man ?"
The tailor turned his head and looked about him. The man
pointed out appeared young, of fair complexion, of an in-
teresting physiognomy. Nothwithstanding the expression of
mildness which characterised his almost feminine features,
in his general bearing, resolution and audacity were dis•
played. Heturned to Rifol6, and with a voice full of bitter-
ness and indignation exclaimed—" lNliserable wretch ! how
much has been given you to betray me ?" " I," exclaimed
the tailor, " I betray you ? I never saw you before !"
" What does that matter," exclaimed the youth with vehe-
mence—" Have you not stolen from me my secret—have you
not delivered me to the police—will you not be the cause of
my death ? Infamous informer ! you should have told me
that you wanted gold—l could have bought your silence at
a higher rate than you will be paid for betraying me." " I
shall be driven mad—l shall be driven mad,' cried Rifole—
completely bewildered.
" Then," said the President of the Council of War, " you
persist in denying that this man is your accomplice ? "
" My accomplice," said the youth—with a gesture of dis-
gust—to him who addressed the question, " think you I take
as my accomplices such creatures ? "

" But then, how is it that the proofs of your crime, which
no one ever suspected, should be found in his possession—by
what chance have they been found in his hands ?"

" You pay—you give a recompence for the information,
and you are astonished to find the informer ! This miserable
fellow has stolen from me my secret to sell it to you—but
there has been already too many words wasted. Gentlemen,
let us put a stop to these debates. lam an Englishman—l
have exposed my life to serve my country—my projects are
discovered—put me to death. England for ever ! Shame
and unhappiness to France! "
A murmur—in which was mingled a suppressed sentiment
of admiration for the audacity and intrepidity of the youth
—was heard to run through the auditory.
The general angrily repressed it.
" Do you persist in saying that the name of John Sydney
under which you are known is not your true name ?"
64 yes:,

" And you obstinately withhold your real name ?"
" England alone knows it. She will keep it as a glorious
remembrance of him who died in her cause !"
The general leant towards the officers who were seated
around him, and consulted with them in a low voice. After
having gathered their opinions, he pronounced sentence,
which condemned "John Sydney to death, as an English
spy."
" Have you no last wish to make known ?" inquired the
general. "In a quarter of an hour your execution will take
place."
" None, sir," replied Sydney. " When we play the game
that I have lost, one is always ready to die."

" As for Jacques Rifole, 'he has fulfilled the duty which
the law imposes upon every citizen. He has revealed a plot
against the state. The council of war declares that there is
no charge against him, but places him at the disposal of his
excellency, the Minister of Police."

The gaoler advanced, made a sign to Rifolie, and recon-
ducted him to his dungeon.
" Faith, comrade, you have escaped finely." As bespoke,
an explosion offire.arms was heard.

" Hark !" added the man of keys, " see what has been
hanging over your nose. Yonder Englishman will not again
have the toothache. They have just put twelve bullets in his
body."
Rifol6 fainted away.