Were they gone?
Had the coast been left clear?
Delicious thought; if true, how quickly had Robbins’ muscular efforts borne fruit.
I quite yearned to put it to the test, to leave the roof and seek a more congenial atmosphere.
Robbins still whanged away.
He was a tireless plodder, yet I noticed that the tongue of the bell was now held in his left hand, and that hardly the same energy was being expended as at first.
What did it matter, since his object had been accomplished, and the revolution was on—a full hour ahead of the arranged time.
I drew Hildegarde into my arms.
“Don’t be alarmed—it is only a little revolution down below; they seldom last long; and our friends, Carmencita’s friends, are even now storming the citadel. Hark!”
As I spoke the brass cannon boomed again, proving that sturdy resistance had been met.