Chapters 3 through 8 Summary

Sharpe is again summoned before Nairn. Nairn informs Sharpe of the capture of Andrados and the nature of Pot-au-Feu's forces, estimated at between 400 and 2,000 men. Sharpe is ordered to volunteer to travel to Andrados and scout the situation; in particular, he is—if possible—to recover Lady Farthingdale by exchanging a large sum of gold to secure her release. Sharpe makes his preparations and, accompanied by Harper, travels to Andrados. In Chapter 4, Sharpe and Harper enter Andrados with the gold. They find the approach apparently unguarded and enter the convent. There, they hear two men entering and they capture the men. It develops that the men are Colonel Dubreton and Sergeat Bigeard of the French army. Dubreton's wife is also a captive of Pot-au-Feu and he, too, has come bearing gold for her ransom. The four men take an...