"In the boxes in the harness-room. Here are the keys."
The men redoubled their activity. The Old Mill was ransacked; and the soldiers passed laden with mattresses, sofas, old oak chests, hangings also and carpets, with which they stopped up the holes and the windows.
"The flames are spreading," said the captain, going to the top of the staircase. "There's nothing left of Farmer Saboureux's buildings.... But by what miracle ...? Who set the place on fire?..."
"I did."
A peasant stood at the top of the steps, in a scorched blouse, with his face all blackened.
"You, Saboureux?"
"Yes, I," growled Saboureux, fiercely. "I had to.... I heard you over there: 'If we could only stop them,' says you. 'If I had half an hour to spare!'... Well, there's your half an hour for you.... I set fire to the shanty."
"And very nearly roasted me inside it," grinned Old Poussière, who was with the farmer. "I was asleep in the straw...."
The captain nodded his head:
"By Jove, Farmer Saboureux, but that's a damned sportsmanlike thing you've done! I formed a wrong opinion of you. I apologize. May I shake you by the hand?"