As the woman made no reply, a loud, guttural voice shouted:
“Open the door!”
After a brief silence the same voice repeated:
“Open the door or I'll break it down!”
Berthine took the heavy revolver from its hook, slipped it into the pocket of her skirt, and, putting her ear to the door, asked:
“Who are you?” demanded the young woman. “What do you want?”.
“The detachment that came here the other day,” replied the voice.
“My men and I have lost our way in the forest since morning. Open the door or I'll break it down!”
The forester's daughter had no choice; she shot back the heavy bolts, threw open the ponderous shutter, and perceived in the wan light of the snow six men, six Prussian soldiers, the same who had visited the house the day before.
“What are you doing here at this time of night?” she asked dauntlessly.