by Griff Hosker
When they had done so I looked at each of them in turn, studying the faces of the men I would be leading for the next few days. I needed to rely on them. I would not have the luxury of growing to know them I would have to take the Captain's word on trust. "We are going after Napoleon Bonaparte." I was pleased at the lack of histrionics from them although I saw that they were both surprised and pleased. "It seems that the Prussians want him too but the Duke of Wellington has charged us with his capture. We want him alive and the Prussians want him dead." I turned to Colonel Selkirk. "And the Colonel here is with us to ensure that he goes where the Duke intends."
He nodded. He gave one of his dramatic pauses. "He is to be sent to a remote island in the middle of the Atlantic."
"So you can see that this is important. He has a start on us but we will find him. He will head to Paris first. That may be dangerous. We are still at war with France but your uniforms look vaguely French. It is one of the many reasons I chose your regiment. We need to be on our guard. Listen for my commands. If I say run, then do not hesitate. If I say fight then do so as though your life depended upon it. It probably will."
Lieutenant Howard asked, "And if the Prussians object to what we intend?"
I paused and, after looking at the Colonel said, "Then I will deal with them. You need not fear for your career, Lieutenant, you will be acting under my orders and the Colonel here will see that no blame is attached to any of you. Now we have a long way to go. Let us ride."
I avoided Genappe. It was a town with narrow streets and the road was already thronged with refugees and retreating soldiers. I led the troop across country. When the colonel saw that I intended to ford the river he paled. The young troopers smiled as he went into the water gingerly. I held my pistols up as we crossed. I did not want wet powder. Luckily it was both shallow and narrow. The horse did not even have to swim. I remembered swimming the Douro. That was hairy!
The crossroads at Quatre Bras was a depressing scene. The fields were still covered in bodies. It was hard to tell if they were French, Dutch or British for they were all naked. The locals had fallen upon them as though they were carrion. Now that the humans had finished then the crows, magpie, foxes and rats were feasting. It had a sobering effect on both the colonel and the troopers. I think the sergeant had seen it all before. I just said, "The aftermath of war is even worse than the participation." We rode hard and were well south of Laon when I ordered a camp.
Sergeant Gargery was as efficient as I had expected him to be and the camp was laid out in fifteen minutes. We had shunned tents. They were too much weight. We would sleep beneath our heavy cloaks and hope that it did not rain. While the designated troopers cooked I went to Pierre and groomed him and then gave him an apple. The sergeant found me there.
"This is rare sir, an officer who looks after his own horse."
"Do not let my rank and my clothes fool you sergeant. I grew up on a farm and I was a working lad."
"I have heard of you, Major Matthews. You were the officer attached to Sir Moore during the retreat to Corunna. You were there when the 15th held the Ebro." I nodded. "And I saw you at the battle yesterday when the major was murdered. You are not an ordinary officer are you sir?"
"Is anyone an ordinary officer? I think everyone from the privates to the generals showed yesterday that they were capable of the most extraordinary things."
"Well, sir, I am proud to serve with you and you can rely on me and the lads." He leaned in, "By the way, sir, Lieutenant Howard is the best officer in the regiment and that included his brother, the Major. Just so you know."
We set piquets for we knew that there were bands of soldiers wandering the countryside. Our horses were as valuable as gold. I rolled into my cloak. After just three hours sleep the night before I needed no inducement to drift into the arms of Morpheus. Just before I closed my eyes I smiled as I watched the Colonel trying to get comfortable on the hard ground. This was not what the spymaster was used to. It made my sleep even better knowing that he was suffering.
The sergeant woke me with a mug of hot black tea. "We have no milk sir."
"Not to worry sergeant, this will do. I think we will all have to get used to short rations."
The troopers were up and about. This was what they did every day and was their routine. The Colonel lay on his back, snoring. Lieutenant Howard joined me with his own mug of tea. He nodded to the colonel. "I take it the colonel is not used to this sort of thing, sir?"
I smiled, "No, Colonel Selkirk normally conducts his war from Whitehall. "
He nodded and I led us towards the horses which were being saddled even as we approached. "How are we going to pull this off, Major? I am not afraid of what we are going to do. I am excited but every French soldier is going to try to be as close to the Emperor as he can get. How can we even get past them and survive? I mean we are going into Paris. It is the French capital."
"Confidence."
"Confidence?"
"You and the troop must act as though you are French and have every right to be there."
"But we are English Hussars!"
I chuckled, "You will not believe the number of times French and English cavalry have been mistaken for one another. It is another reason why I chose your regiment. You have the Colpack. Your facings are blue. You look like the elite company of the French 6th Hussars. When we ride through the streets of Paris your men will ride ramrod straight and not even think of speaking. Anyone who sees them will assume that you are a martinet and a good officer."
"But what if someone speaks to us?"
"Then I will answer. Do not worry Lieutenant, I have done this sort of thing before. Normally I did it alone or with one companion so having such fine troopers around me is even better. What I will do is teach you a few words in French and you can teach your men. " He cocked his head. "Just the commands. It will add to the illusion."
"We were taught a little French at school, sir."
"Excellent then this will be easy." I threw away the dregs of my tea. "Come, let us awake the sleeping beauty."
The troopers like the idea of masquerading as French soldiers. I did not like to tell them that their lack of pigtails and moustaches made them look a little less like the French than they might have hoped.
Whenever we spied other horsemen in the distance, we left the road and rode across country. That was where the colonel became useful. He had brought maps of the area with him and we used smaller back lanes and tracks to avoid horsemen. Frequently it saved us time. We were now catching up with those who had fled the field first. These were not the wounded and maimed we had seen at Genappe and Charleroi. These were fit men who had broken. What we did not see were the Imperial Guard. I knew that Bonaparte would still have any of the Polish Lancers and the ChasseuràCheval of the Guard who survived around him. They would be the problem we would have to overcome.
As evening on the second day, the 21st of June approached, I knew that we were not far from Paris. We left the road and found an abandoned farm. There were many such buildings in France. Bonaparte's conscription had decimated the land and whole families had perished. The men had been taken by war and the women had been forced to the cities to make a living there.
It meant that we had a roof over our heads. While the food was being prepared Howard and Colonel Selkirk sat around the table with me and we studied the map.
The colonel lit a cigar and sat back in his chair. "Robbie, you know Bonaparte better than anyone, what will he do?"
I saw Lieutenant Howard's raised eyebrows. When this was over I might tell him but for the present we all needed to focus on getting inside the mind of Bonaparte.
"He will think he can still fight. He always believes that he can defeat anyone. He was certain that he could defeat the Duke. What he doesn't know is exactly how many men are coming for him. Do you, Colonel?"
He nodded, "Roughly? Yes. The Russians are bringing over a hundred and fifty thousand men. The Austrians have another hundred thousand. The Br
itish and the Prussians even with the losses at Waterloo can muster at least sixty thousand. "
"And Boney will only have the hundred and fifty thousand National Guard in addition to any remnants he can scour from those who survived the slaughter. It will take him no more than a couple of days to discover that."
I leaned back and closed my eyes. What would he do then? When he had been in Egypt he had been able to flee back to France when he was in danger. Where would he go now?
"Surely, sir, he will just give himself up."
I opened my eyes, "In normal circumstances he would. He would return to Elba and dream and plot of glory again but the Prussians have said that they want him dead. He will be hoping to return again as he did from Elba. He cannot do that if he is dead." I looked at the map. "Fontainebleau. He will go there."
The colonel gave me a curious look. "Why?"
"Because it is to the south west of Paris and on the way to the coast. He stayed there first when he came north. It gives him the chance to head for a port and take ship somewhere."
The young lieutenant looked mystified, "But where?"
"The world is wide and there are French colonies with garrisons upon them. Any one of them might give him a safe haven. His problem will be a ship."
The colonel was on his feet. This was his kind of game. He liked getting into the mind of an opponent. He waved a hand across the Channel ports. "We can rule those out."
"I agree they would be too close to us and, more importantly, the Prussians." I jabbed my finger at the map. "The Vendee. He has sent an army there to suppress the Royalists and there are a couple of ports, La Rochelle and Rochefort. If he can lay his hands on some transports he could even take many of the men with him."
"And there is always Ireland."
The colonel was correct. There was always a threat of a French landing in Ireland. The Irish did not like their English landlords and would jump at the chance to join the Emperor and drive them from their land.
I was satisfied, "Then we miss out Paris. You ride around to Fontainebleau and wait for him there."
The colonel's eyes narrowed, "You said 'you' Robbie. What do you intend?"
"I will go to Paris and see what I can discover. Travelling alone I can go faster and be unobserved." I smiled at the colonel. "I am sure that the two of you can read a map eh colonel?"
Chapter 17
I left before dawn and joined the trail of other soldiers heading for Paris. I had told the colonel and the lieutenant of the abandoned farmhouse close to Fontainebleau. I was confident that they would be able to hide there safely until I arrived. Once on the road I just listened. I kept my head down and listened to the grumblings and the gossip. Bonaparte was not far ahead of me and was heading for Paris. I heard rumours of allies coming from across the sea; America would come to aid France. The Turks would attack Russia and become France's allies. All of them were false. The rumour that he was calling to arms every able bodied man to fight the tyranny of the invader, however, was true. That was a reality. The Emperor had not given up. The lie that the invader was doing so to conquer France was typical of the hypocrite that was Bonaparte.
The press of men and horses on the road meant that it took me all day to reach Paris. If I had pushed my way through then I would have attracted a great deal of attention. I needed anonymity. There were soldiers in amongst the refugees heading south and they might remember Wellington's aide. It was a journey of only a few miles but it seemed to take forever.
I made directly for the inn which was close to the British embassy. I counted on the fact that I had paid the owner well and he might remember the Italian business man. He did and I was able to stable my horse. Of course the prices had gone up dramatically. I would have expected no less but it mattered not. The hunt was almost up. My prey was close by.
As I wandered the gossip filled streets I wondered if the Prussians were not right. Perhaps an execution might solve the problem for the world. So long as Napoleon lived then the threat of war would remain. It came to me as I passed the old Louvre Palace. It would not be an execution but an assassination. I would kill the Emperor. All that I needed to do was to get close to him. It was possible that I might even survive but I doubted it. There would be fanatics around him who would fall upon me when the deed was done but I knew that I could get close. I had done so before. My death would be insignificant and would not affect the world. My affairs were in order. Alan and Cesar would inherit my ships and my money. They would both become richer men. That gave me satisfaction. I had a legacy to leave. I had no children but Alan and Cesar would remember me. That would be my legacy. Most of the men with whom I had fought were now dead. Perhaps Captain Macgregor, Monique and Julian might shed a tear but few others would remember me. Thus resolved I headed back for the hotel. All that I needed was to find the Emperor and then stalk him until a suitable opportunity for assassination arose.
I woke early on the 22nd of June and headed into the streets of Paris. I knew that Bonaparte could be anywhere. I was not looking for him. I was looking for his Guards. I headed for the Louvre. There were National Guardsmen on duty and the tricolour still flew but it was not the Imperial Guard who watched there. He was not present. I headed to the Seine following a crowd who seemed to be making for the Chamber of Deputies. I saw a huge crowd outside the Chamber of Deputies a flash of red, lances with guidons and horses. The Lancers were there.
I made my way to the left bank of the mighty Seine. There were many civilians in the huge crowd but there were even more who wore uniforms. The Lancers and the ChasseuràCheval of the Guard formed a cordon at the foot of the steps. No one could approach any closer. I joined the throng and listened. It soon became obvious that Bonaparte was trying to get the Deputies to back his demand for conscription. It was as I had feared. He was keen to continue the war. The views of the crowd were mixed. The old soldiers wanted war but the civilians had had enough. They wanted peace and prosperity even if it meant a return to the Bourbons. I suspected that it would be the same inside. Bonaparte was a powerful orator. he might be able to swing the politicians to his side.
I felt a tap on my shoulder. My left hand was on my stiletto even as I turned. It was Pierre-Francois. He smiled, "A little jumpy, Robbie. I see you survived the battle then?"
I tapped my left leg, "Just. And what brings you here? No students today?"
"They are all here. They would be the ones conscripted if Bonaparte has his way. I had no work and I thought I would come to hear the lies of the Little Corporal!"
A grenadier of the line turned aggressively with a bunched fist ready, "Do not disparage the Emperor!"
I stepped between them and stared into his eyes. "This man lost an arm fighting for the Emperor I think that gives him the right to be familiar."
The old soldier saw that Pierre-Francois had but one arm. He turned his attention and wrath on me. "You seem healthy enough! Why do you not fight!"
I pulled my coat back to reveal my pistols. "I can fight when I choose and I too fought for the Emperor. Go away now before I decide to do something about it. The world will not miss one less loudmouth."
He leaned forward and he glowered at me. I had dressed down aggressive soldiers before and I continued my stare. He must have recognised that I meant what I said and he snorted, "You are probably a donkey walloper anyway and I will not waste my time with you." He stormed off.
Pierre-Francois laughed, "I see you are still as belligerent as ever."
"Only when I need to be. So, what do you make of this?"
"The Emperor is finished. There is no appetite for war. Do you know he had a victory speech printed out stating that he was in Brussels before he even left to fight his battles. Arrogance! He has no credibility. He had skills in war once but no more and the Deputies will refuse his request. He will leave."
I lowered my voice, "And what will he do next? Go to Versailles? Fontainebleau?"
"No, my friend. If he fails today then he will have to hide." He ponde
red the question I had posed. I waited patiently. Pierre-Francois had a mind like a steel trap and he was sifting through all that he had heard over the past few days since the news of the battle had reached Paris. "He will probably go to Malmaison."
"Malmaison?"
"The house he gave to Josephine. She died last year and the house has been empty ever since. It is on the western side of Paris and he could flee to the west if the Prussians we hear are hunting him come to Paris." He smiled at me and said quietly, "If I were a gambling man..."
"But you are Pierre-Francois!"
He laughed, "True. Then I would bet a few golden Louis that he would go to America. They still like him I think. He has never ruled them. He just sold them half of their country. Yes he might go there. Who knows that might solve the world's problems. He could try to become President! But first he will find somewhere here in France to plan and to organise. Malmaison, Robbie."
That made perfect sense and I had sent my troopers fifty miles south of there. I pointed to the doors, they were opened and Bonaparte stormed out. "I am thinking he did not get what he wanted."
"No and if he heads west then he is going to Malmaison." He gave me a perceptive look. "Where you will follow him."
"Where I will follow him."
"Your destinies were ever entwined. I wish you luck but more than that I wish you long life. You deserve it." I shook his good hand. As the escort and the Emperor clattered north west Pierre-Francois nodded. "See."
Just then a group of politicians came out. They held their hands up and, gradually the crowd was silenced. One of them held up a piece of paper. He shouted, "The Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte has abdicated in favour of...."
We heard no more for the crowd heard the key words; the Emperor had abdicated. There was joy unabated for those who wanted no war and despair for the old soldiers who wanted the war to continue. For me it meant I had to hurry. The Emperor was slipping away.