An hour later he started up. "By Heaven, they are at the trap!"
The duke was no coward. He ran up the steps, pistol in hand, and gave his second weapon to François, who stood below. The trap was cast wide open, and a big municipal was seen stooping over the open space; for beyond him the cellar was well lighted up. The duke fired without an instant's indecision.
"By St. Denis! 't is a man, this duke," cried François, as the officer pitched head down into the cave. The thief set a foot on him as he lay, and reached up the second pistol to the duke, while young Des Illes, too curious for fear, crawled up the broad stone stairs to see. The thief heard a second shot, and followed the lad. There were several candles set on casks, and through the smoke he saw a municipal in a heap at the far end of the upper cellar. He was groaning piteously.
"Load again, monsieur," cried François. "Quick! there may be more." He himself went past the duke, and young Des Illes after him. He turned the officer over.
"He is not dead," he said. "Best to finish him."
But here was madame at his side, saying: "No, no! No more—I will not have it. Mon Dieu! it is bad enough. I will have no murder."
"Then let us go back; he is as good as dead."
"Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!" cried the woman; and so in haste the upper trap was closed, and all went again down to the cave.
The officer below was dead, with a ball through his head. Mother and children huddled away in the far corner, scared. The duke said:
"What now must we do?"