The lawyer and his friend having departed to draw up the document, Tim was left alone with his old friend.
"Bravo, Tim!" said the doctor. "You have carried it off well."
"But is it true?" asked Tim eagerly. "Are we in possession of the town?"
"Without a doubt. You have only to act boldly. Toujours l'audace! The garrison have bolted; without good leadership they won't rally, and Captain Pierola is dead, I hear."
"He is only wounded," said Tim.
"He is not here, at any rate. The Mollendists have a strong party in the town, and if you put a bold face on it the Prefect's adherents will not dare to rise. Of course your father is near?"
"I hope so, señor. I have sent a messenger for him."
"You don't mean to say that you have done this on your own account, unsupported?"
"We have been rather lucky," said Tim with a smile.
The doctor uttered an ejaculation of amazement.