Realising that Blas Vivar is not a prisoner in Valdivia, Sharpe confronts Cochrane, who admits that he took the Spaniard prisoner. Cochrane is plotting to rescue Napoleon, so the Corsican can create another empire in the New World.
Realizing that Blas Vivar is not a prisoner in Valdivia leads Sharpe to confront Cochrane, who admits to taking the Spaniard captive. Cochrane's plan involves freeing Napoleon to enable him to establish another empire in the New World.