“I will not; and he who contradicts me is in danger of his life. You’ll have to kill me here.”
At the risk of breaking his neck, the sergeant ran down the stairs three steps at a time, and addressing his soldiers, said:
“Boys, come upstairs with your guns. We’ve got to break down the door. One of you stay here on guard, and if any one tries to escape, fire on him.”
Two of the men dismounted rapidly, crossed the vestibule, and, preceded by the sergeant, rushed headlong upstairs, reached the garret, and began to beat upon the door with the butts of their heavy guns.
“Surrender!” shouted the sergeant again and again.
No one answered.
“Quick now! Throw down the door.”
The door was new and did not yield to the first blows, but little by little the panels gave way, and at last, a formidable blow with the butt broke the lock....
The soldiers entered:—stretched upon the floor lay a half-dressed woman. The window was open.
“The scoundrel escaped through that,” said one of the men.