"And it is a wild business to be out upon," I added. "I wonder if this is the end of it?"
The words were scarcely past my lips when the door of the cab ahead flew suddenly open, and a swift something, more like a shadow than a man, darted across the moonlight, sprang upon the parapet of the bridge, and disappeared!
In an instant we were all out--all rushing to and fro--all shouting--all wild with surprise and confusion.
"One man to the Pont d'Arcole!" thundered the sergeant, running along the perapet, revolver in hand. "One to the Quai Bourbon--one to the Pont de la Cité! Watch up stream and down! The moment he shows his head above water, fire!"
"But, in Heaven's name, how did he escape?" exclaimed Müller.
"Grand Dieu! who can tell--unless he is the very devil?" cried the sergeant, distractedly. "The handcuffs were on the floor, the door was open, and he was gone in a breath! Hold! What's that?"
The soldier on the Pont de la Cité gave a shout and fired. There was a splash--a plunge--a rush to the opposite parapet.
"There he goes!"
"Where?"
"He has dived again!"