The sergeant’s men, taken by surprise stood in doubt what to do; but as two of their new comrades had recognized Dubois for an officer and sided with him, and being as they saw outnumbered, they offered no resistance, and the little party were through the gate, and the gate itself was locked before their surprise had passed.
The stairway now was broader and led straight to the open doorway, which let out upon the courtyard; and they were hurrying down, Gerard and Gabrielle leading, when the figures of two men showed in the doorway, and Gabrielle clutched Gerard’s arm in sudden fear.
“De Proballe,” she whispered, shrinking against the wall.
At the same moment there came the sound of shots and angry voices in the courtyard, and all the evidences of a fierce battle.
“It is the guard changing, my lord,” said Pierre. “They have discovered something wrong.”
“They have run up against Pascal’s force,” he replied. “Dubois, we must clear that doorway; or we shall be caught like rats in a hole.”
“I’ll do it,” answered Dubois sternly, gripping his weapon.
“Stay, monsieur, by your leave. I have a thought,” urged Pierre; and without waiting to explain what it was he ran on down the stairway to de Proballe.
CHAPTER XX
A DASH FOR THE WALLS
DUBOIS looked after Pierre with some misgivings as he saw him accost de Proballe.