The face of Francois brightened.
"Then we are all right, sir," he said. "They will hardly attack again in that time, sir."
Hal shook his head.
"They are likely to attack at any moment," he replied slowly. "Besides, if we do succeed in beating them off once more, there is nothing to assure us that we will be relieved then."
"Nothing sir," returned Francois, "except Captain Leroux's word that we have only to hold this house two hours, sir."
"True," said Hal, brightening visibly. "I shouldn't have spoken as I did. We must trust to the others, and if they fail, why, we'll know it is not their fault."
"Right, sir," said Francois. "If they fail, it will not be their fault."
He returned to his place at the window.
On the floor below Captain Leroux also had taken account of his casualties. Merely a handful of men remained unwounded. Some of the men who had felt the effects of the German fire were still in condition to continue the fight should their services be necessary, but their number was few.
The captain shook his head dubiously as he glanced at his watch.