When he was within a hundred yards of the moat, the sentinel, who had resumed his calm and measured tread, halted once more.
"Take a trumpet, put a handkerchief on the end of your sword, Guitaut," said the marshal, "and summon this insolent governor to open his gates."
Guitaut obeyed; he hoisted the emblem of peace, which affords protection to heralds in all civilized countries, and went forward toward the intrenchment.
"Qui vive?" cried the sentry.
"Flag of truce," Guitaut replied, waving his sword, with the bit of cloth at the end.
"Let him approach," said the same man who had previously appeared upon the rampart of the main fort, and who had doubtless reached the outwork by an underground passage.
The gate opened, and a drawbridge was lowered.
"What is your errand?" demanded an officer who was awaiting Guitaut at the gate.
"To speak to the governor," he replied.
"I am he," said the man, who had been seen twice already.