You will accompany them on board the _George W. Custis_, and stay with
them until you reach Cape Charles. A lighthouse tender will follow the
steamer down Chesapeake Bay and take you off. If these gentlemen do not
give the proper orders to the captain of the steamer, you will put them
all under arrest and signal the tender."
Chauvenet and Durand had been brought out and placed in the buckboard,
and these orders were intended for their ears.
"We will waive our right to a writ of _habeas corpus_," remarked Durand
cheerfully, as Claiborne flashed a lantern over them. "Dearest Jules, we
shall not forget Monsieur Claiborne's courteous treatment of us."
"Shut up!" snapped Chauvenet.
"You will both of you do well to hold your tongues," remarked Claiborne
dryly. "One of these officers understands French, and I assure you they
can not be bought or frightened. If you try to bolt, they will certainly
shoot you. If you make a row about going on board your boat at Baltimore,
remember they are government agents, with ample authority for any
emergency, and that Baron von Marhof has the American State Department at
his back.
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