"Courage!" cried the officer to the sappers, who worked indefatigably.
The hatchets severed the planks. Twenty guns were lowered in the direction of the opening, which enlarged every moment.
But through the aperture no one could be seen.
The officer lighted a torch and threw it into the cave. It was empty.
They then raised the trap-door, which now offered no resistance. "Follow me!" said the officer, bravely leaping down the steps.
"Forward! forward!" cried the National Guards, following the example of their officer.
"Ah! Madame Plumeau," said Simon, "you lend your cellar to aristocrats!"
The wall was broken down; the humid soil had been trampled by numerous feet; and a conduit of three feet wide and five feet high, like the branch of a trench, plunged in the direction of Rue de la Corderie. The officer ventured into this opening, resolved to follow these aristocrats into the bowels of the earth; but when he had advanced three or four steps he found all farther progress impeded by an iron grating.
"Halt!" cried he, to those who were closely pressing behind him; "we can proceed no farther until this portcullis is removed."