"A garrison of fifty soldiers, who keep watch day and night."
"Soldiers of the grand-duchy?"
"No, soldiers drafted from the Emperor's own body-guard."
The din in the passage increased:
"Open the door!" a voice cried. "I order you to open the door!"
"I can't. Weber, old chap; the lock has stuck. If you take my advice, you had better cut the door all round the lock."
"Open the door!"
"And what about the fate of Europe, which we are discussing?"
He turned to the old man: