"Nothing easier," replied Pichegru.
"Sixty daring men, ready to risk everything, of whom at least half speak German."
"I have a battalion of Alsatian volunteers."
"Thirty Prussian uniforms."
"We can get them from the prisoners."
"And three thousand men under command of a capable general, who must leave here at ten o'clock, and, passing by way of Enashausen, must be within a hundred feet of the Haguenau gate at midnight."
"I will command them myself."
"The first corps must remain silent and motionless until they hear the word 'Fire' and see a great light, then they must hasten into the town, to which they will find the gate open."
"Very well," said Pichegru, "I understand. But how are you going to make the gates of a fortified city open to your ten wagons of straw at this time of night?"
Stephan drew a paper from his pocket.