I smiled as I encountered his dazed glance, but I judged it best to say nothing more. A moment later we reached the prison, the gates of which opened to the governor’s coach on the instant. There was a short delay at the first drawbridge, where the sentry again peered into the coach to see that all was right. Then we were in the court, the carriage stopped and we sprang out, just as midnight pealed from the tower.
“Lieutenant Perrault,” said the governor to a man who hastened towards us and saluted, “let Bastien and Drouet here take the next watch on the parapet. To-morrow let them have a holiday to repay for this double duty.”
“Very good, monsieur,” answered the lieutenant.
“You have nothing to report?” asked the governor, sharply.
“Nothing, monsieur. Everything has gone as usual.” I breathed a sigh of relief. The prisoners in the chimneys had not, then, been discovered.
“That is all, lieutenant,” said the governor. “I am going to bed immediately. Awake me if there is need.”
We saluted and followed Perrault. I blessed the impenetrable darkness of the narrow court which rendered it impossible to recognize friend or foe, and we walked in silence across the drawbridge and up the winding staircase.
“Montjoy,” cried Perrault, opening the door which led to the roof.
“St. Denis,” two voices answered.
“Hurry up,” cried Perrault. “It’s devilishly cold up here.”