"Yes," said Halfoff.
The two brothers looked at Serge, for there was a meaning in his voice and a strange look upon his face.
"If the bomb is placed against the wall and if the fuse is lighted it would explode."
"Yes," said Halfoff despairingly, "but how? The fuse is instantaneous. Without the wires we cannot light it. It would be death."
Serge took the bomb in his hand. His face was pale.
"Let it be so!" he said. "I will give my life for hers."
He lifted the bomb in his hand. "I will go through the tunnel and hold the bomb against the wall and fire it," he said. "Halfoff, light me the candle in the flame. Be ready when the wall falls."
"No, no," said Halfoff, grasping Serge by the arm. "You must not die!"
"My brother," said Kwitoff quietly, "let it be as he says. It is for Russia!"
But as Halfoff turned to light the candle in the flame there came a great knocking at the door above and the sound of many voices in the street.