The Comte de Maquerre was a deep cover French agent who, for fifteen years, allowed others to think him a monarchist.
Novels[]
The Comte de Maqurre appeared in Sharpe's Siege, and was suspected as an enemy agent by Michael Hogan who referred to him as Maquereau, a French word for mackerel, but also slang for a pimp. Hogan, however, fell to a fever before he could share his suspicions.
Colonel Wigram attached Maquerre to Sharpe for a joint foray with the navy into Bordeaux. Described as silver haired and supercilious, Sharpe disliked him instantly. He was, in reality, dispatched by Ducos to attempt to get Sharpe to march on Bordeaux with the story that the town had risen in rebellion against Napoleon. He offered the rifleman a forged French commission as a Major General, but with his name spelled incorrectly on it.
Sharpe didn't take the bait, however, so he rode to the fortress of Teste de Buch and told Captain Bampfylde that there was no hope of rebellion in Bordeaux, that Sharpe was captured or dead, and he should abandon the fortress. This time the ploy worked. To maintain his cover, however, he left France with Bampfylde.
When Sharpe and his men miraculously survived the betrayal and abandonment in Bordeaux, he confronted Maquerre, who ran. Chased and cornered, he drew his sword, Sharpe accused him of being a spy and in Ducos' employ. Maquerre called Sharpe mad. Sharpe was told Maquerre would hang if a court of inquiry found the charges to be true, and Sharpe replied he did not like to see a man hang, then he ran Maquerre through and his body dropped into the estuary.
Television[]
Christian Brendel as le comte
Aristide de Maquerre never told his family of the ruse regarding his allegiance, and they were estranged, even when he told his sister, Catherine his secret, she told him is was too late, he'd left them alone for too long.
He killed Rifleman Reilly of the 60th when embedded with them, so as not to be seen coming and going from camp.
Once his dual role was revealed, Sharpe explained that de Maqurre had made his bed, and had to lie in it without complaining. He would never get a happy ending and should not expect one.
He was shot by snipers Robinson and Hagman, once he had returned to his lines after a parley.