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Sharpe 3-Book Collection 1: Sharpe’s Tiger, Sharpe’s Triumph, Sharpe’s Fortress. Bernard Cornwell
Читать онлайн.Название Sharpe 3-Book Collection 1: Sharpe’s Tiger, Sharpe’s Triumph, Sharpe’s Fortress
Год выпуска 0
isbn 9780007462896
Автор произведения Bernard Cornwell
Жанр Приключения: прочее
Издательство HarperCollins
‘No, sir,’ Lawford said.
‘I suppose not, but I warn you that the Tippoo will want to know.’ Gudin smiled at Sharpe. ‘I had come to the conclusion, Sharpe, that you are one of the best soldiers I have ever had the pleasure to command. But only one thing worried me about you, and that was why a good soldier would desert from his allegiance, even if he had been flogged, but now I see you are a better man than I thought.’ He frowned because Sharpe, while this elegant compliment was being paid, had lifted the back of his tunic and seemed to be scratching his bottom.
‘Sorry, sir,’ Sharpe said, noticing the Colonel’s distaste and dropping his tunic’s hem.
‘I’m sorry to be losing you, Sharpe,’ Gudin went on. ‘I’m afraid there is an escort waiting for you outside the barracks. You’re to be taken to the palace.’ Gudin paused, but must have decided there was nothing he could add that might ameliorate the implied threat of his words. Instead he turned and snapped his fingers to bring a disapproving Sergeant Rothière into the courtyard. Rothière carried their red coats and Sharpe’s white trousers. ‘They may help a little,’ Gudin said, though without any real hope in his voice. The Colonel watched as they discarded their newly cleaned tunics and pulled on their red coats. ‘About your woman,’ he said to Sharpe, then hesitated.
‘She had nothing to do with this, sir,’ Sharpe said hurriedly as he pulled on the trousers. He buttoned his old jacket and the red coat felt strangely confining after the looser tunic. ‘On my honour, sir. And besides,’ he added, ‘she gave me the push.’
‘Twice unlucky, Sharpe. Bad in a soldier, that.’ Gudin smiled and reached out a hand. ‘Your muskets, gentlemen, if you please.’
Sharpe handed over both guns. ‘Sir?’
‘Private Sharpe?’
Sharpe reddened and became awkward. ‘It was an honour to serve you, sir. I mean that. I wish we had more like you in our army.’
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