But the dog only continued to bark more furiously.
The National Guard ran to arms, and rushed toward the hut, while the municipals took possession of the queen, her daughter, and sister, and compelled them to re-enter the wicket, which they closed behind them.
"Prepare your arms!" cried the municipals to the sentinels. And the sound of firearms being made ready for action was heard.
"It is there! it is there!" cried Simon, "under the trap. I saw it move, I am certain of it. Besides, the Austrian's dog, a good little animal who was not in the plot, barked at the conspirators, who are no doubt still in the cellar. Hold! he barks again."
Indeed, Jet, instigated by Simon's cries and shouts, began to bark again more strenuously than before.
The officer seized the ring of the trap, but seeing he was unable to raise it, two of the gendarmes went to his assistance, but without the slightest success.
"You perceive they hold the trap-door from below. Fire through the trap-door, my friends, fire!" said Simon.
"Oh!" cried Madame Plumeau, "you will break my bottles."
"Fire!" repeated Simon, "fire!"
"Be silent, brawler!" said the officer, "bring some hatchets, and open the planks. Now let a platoon make ready, and fire into the trap-door the instant an opening is made." The groaning of planks and a sudden jerk informed the National Guards that some movement was taking place in the interior. Directly afterward they heard a motion under ground, like an iron portcullis being closed.