Free For Our Liberty by Rob Griffith Page A

taking control of the conversation back from Montaignac and indicating everybody should sit.
    I chose the most comfortable looking chair to sit in, supposing correctly that a group of Frenchmen would not come to any decision quickly. I looked around the room, noticing a few things that didn’t seem to fit. Above the fireplace there was a gilt mirror that was too big, on one wall there was large painting of classical ruins that looked as if it had been cut to fit the frame. A pair of garish vases stood either side of a door. As a male of the species I am aware that my opinion of decoration counts for nought but they looked out of place. I suspected that they had been purchased by François Calvet to impress, but they did the reverse. He must have been eager to put his own stamp on his brother’s house but they all looked like new and unwise additions to an otherwise pleasant and homely room, the walls were a warm cream colour and the chairs mostly a dark, rich leather.  
    Calvet waited until everyone was looking at him. “We need to think of a way for Monsieur Blackthorne here to get to the coast, quickly, safely and without the risk of him being stopped and searched by the gendarmes,” he said.
    “I was speaking to the owner of the fromagerie where I buy most of my cheese. He had a delivery yesterday, some wonderful cheese from just outside Caen…” began Fauche.
    “Please Ferdinand, get to the point,” said Montaignac.
    “Yes, well, he said the driver got stopped twice on the road and was searched at the gates of the city. And that was for a cart coming into Paris. Checks going out are far stricter.”
    “I agree, the roads are too risky,” said Calvet. “General Moncey has doubled the patrols by the gendarmes.”
    “How about the river then?” I asked.
    “Yes, that’s possible,” said Duprez. “There are barges heading for the coast all the time, many with supplies for the army. Barges are larger and have more places to hide.”
    “True, but they are also being searched so it is still a risk. Blackthorne has no papers,” said Calvet.
    “Surely you could procure him some, uncle?” said Dominique.
    “Yes, my dear, but it would take a day or two,” said Calvet. Dominique frowned and I think she was thinking the same as I. That Calvet had had plenty of time to get me papers while I was recovering from my wound.
    “Any delay is unacceptable. I am disappointed that the papers are not on their way already,” said Duprez.
    “May I ask if it was you that stole the plans?” I said.
    “Yes. Yes it was. Although I now wish I hadn’t taken the risk. It looks as though the plans will never reach your government,” said Duprez, standing and pacing up and down near the windows.
    “They will, I assure you. I’ll make sure you get the thanks of our government,” I said.
    “I didn’t do it to get thanks,” said Duprez, stopping and turning towards me. “I did it to stop that tyrant Bonaparte, it seems you English are the only ones that can stand up to him, though how you’d fare without La Manche protecting you I don’t know.”
    “Captain Wright would have been back in London by now had Lacrosse not turned up that morning.” I said.
    “Yes, strange how he knew where to find him,” said Fauche, shifting in his chair so that it creaked and groaned.
    “A man like Lacrosse has ears everywhere. We have to be careful this time that no one knows of whatever plan we decide upon,” said Calvet, leaning forward. Duprez had sat again but still seemed anxious.
    “How about a disguise?” I suggested.
    “Ben, this isn’t a comedy. We can’t dress you up as an old priest or put you into one of my dresses. You’d be spotted at the city gates,” said Dominique. “You’d still need papers. Everyone needs papers.”
    “So, you seem to have ruled out travel by road and by water. What do you expect me to do, fly? There must be a way,” I said, getting a little exasperated.
    “You could always use a