So saying, Hullin, Catherine, and the smugglers, with heads bowed down, took their way back by the gap. They had just set foot on the descent, when at thirty paces above them appeared Materne, who was scrambling, quite out of breath, through the ruins, and clinging to the bushes to get along quicker.
"Well," exclaimed Jean-Claude, "what's going on, old fellow?"
"Ah! there you are—I was looking for you. An officer from the enemy's camp is advancing along the wall of the old burg, with a little white flag; he seems as if he wishes to speak with us."
Hullin, immediately continuing his way towards the declivity of the rock, saw, in effect, a German officer standing on the wall, and who seemed to be waiting till they made a sign to him to ascend. He was within two gun-shots; farther off were stationed five or six soldiers, with grounded arms. After having inspected this group, Jean-Claude turned and said:
"It is an officer, who comes, no doubt, to summon us to surrender the place."
"Let them send a shot at him!" exclaimed Catherine; "it's the best answer we can make him."
All the others appeared of the same opinion, except Hullin, who, without making any observation, descended to the terrace, where the rest of the volunteers were.
"My children," said he, "the enemy sends us an envoy. We do not know what they want of us. I suppose it is a summons to lay down our arms, but it is possible it may be something else. Frantz and Kasper will go to meet him; they will bandage his eyes at the foot of the rock, and lead him here."
No one having any objection to make, the sons of Materne slung their carbines over their shoulders, and withdrew beneath the winding archway. At the end of about ten minutes the two tall red hunters came up to the officer. There was a rapid conference between them, after which they all began to ascend the Falkenstein. As the little group came gradually nearer, they were better able to distinguish the uniform of the envoy, and even his physiognomy. He was a spare man, with rather light hair, a well-formed figure, and resolute movements. At the foot of the rock, Frantz and Kasper bandaged his eyes, and in a short time their footsteps were heard beneath the vault. Jean-Claude going himself to meet them, untied the handkerchief, saying:
"You desire to communicate something to me, sir; I am ready to listen to you."