He hesitated and began to stammer excuses.
"Are you going, uncle, or must I denounce you to the General as a sympathiser with Englishmen ?" asked Muller in malice, for he knew the old fellow's weakness and cowardice, and was playing on them.
"I am going.

Of course I am going, nephew.

Excuse me, a little faintness took me--the heat of the sun," he babbled.

"Oh, yes, I am going to seize the rebel.

Perhaps one of these young men would not mind engaging his attention on the other side.