he Swedo-Russians, named
Chefneux, whom I had always found extremely clever and correct. Having
for a long time received no intelligence from him I became very
anxious,--an anxiety which was not without foundation. He had, in fact,
been arrested at Lauenburg, and conducted, bound, tied hand and foot, by
some Cossacks to Luneburg. There was found on him a bulletin which he
was about to transmit to me, and he only escaped certain death by having
in his possession a letter of recommendation from a Hamburg merchant
well known to M. Alopaeus, the Russian Minister in that city. This
precaution, which I had taken before he set out, saved his life. M.
Alopaeus replied to the merchant that, in consequence of his
recommendation the spy should be sent back safe and sound, but that
another time neither the recommended nor the recommender should escape
so easily. Notwithstanding this, Chefneux would certainly have paid with
his head for the dangerous business in which he was embarked but for the
inconceivable coolness he displayed under the most trying circumstances.
Though the bulletin which was found upon him was addressed to M.
Schramm, merchant, they strongly suspected that it was intended for me.
They demanded of the prisoner whether he knew me; to which he boldly
replied that he had never seen me. They endeavoured, by every possible
means, to extort a confession from him, but without success. His
repeated denials, joined to the name of M. Schramm, created doubts in
the minds of his interrogators; they hesitated lest they should condemn
an innocent man. They, however, resolved to make a last effort to
discover the truth, and Chefneux, condemned to be shot, was conducted to
the plain of Luneburg. His eyes were bandaged, and he heard the command
of preparation given to the platoon, which was to fire upon him; at that
moment a man approaching him whispered in his ear, in a tone of
friendship and compassion, "They are going to fire; but I am your
friend; only acknowledge that you know M. de Bourrienne and you are
safe."--"No," replied Chefneux in a firm tone; "if I said so I should
tell a falsehood." Immediately the bandage was removed from his eyes,
and he was set at liberty. It would be difficult to cite a more
extraordinary instance of presence of mind.

Much as I execrate the system of espionage I am nevertheless compelled to
admit that the Emperor was under the necessity of maintaining the most
unremitting vigilance amidst the