“Who is that speaking?”
“It is I, Bourgwan,” I replied, my voice unsteady in my excitement. “There is not a moment to lose.”
“Where are the soldiers?”
“I will explain all. For God’s sake come or it will be too late. Every second is precious.”
We heard them drag away something they had placed before the door; and burning with impatience called again to them to make haste.
At that moment a loud knocking came at the front door of the house; and one of Karasch’s men came running to say that the soldiers were in the street.
“We daren’t stay to be caught in these uniforms. We shall be shot off-hand at a time like this,” he said; and the others agreed.
“You’ll be shot by me if you attempt to desert me now,” I answered desperately. “Before anyone can get in, we shall be away. Stop them, Karasch. In a few moments we shall all be away.”
Again there came the loud knocking and clanging of the bell, followed by the cries of the mob and another shower of stones at the house.
Unable to hold their courage longer my men turned and ran down the stairs helter-skelter.