The latter turned and recognized him.
"I thank you," he said, "but whatever you do you cannot save me."
"If I can get you inside the City Hall, I will answer for all," said Hullin.
"Yes, but can you do it?" said the victim.
"God helping us, we'll try it."
They might hope this as they reached the City Hall Square, It was packed with men with their arms bared to the pit, waving swords and spears. The rumor had run along that they were bringing the Bastile Governor and his major, and they were waiting for them like a pack of wolfhounds held back from breaking up the quarry.
As soon as they saw the party they rushed at it. Hullin saw that this was going to be the supreme peril and final struggle. If he could only get the governor up the steps and inside the building, he would save him.
"Help, Elie, and Millard, all men who hold our honor dear!" he shouted.
Elie and Maillard forged onward but the mob closed in behind them and they were isolated. The crowd saw the advantage it had won, and made a furious effort. Like a gigantic boa, it wound its coils round the knot: Billet was taken off his feet and swept away with Pitou, who stuck to him. The same whirlwind made Hullin reel on the steps where he fell. He rose but was forced down anew, and Launay fell with him this time.
He stayed down; up to the last he did not murmur or beg for mercy, but he cried in a hoarse voice: