"Then what's to be done?"
"Yes, what's to be done?"
"Send your dog," replied Petrus.
The shepherd whistled to his dog, showed him the stairway, urged him—but he did not wish to take the chances any more than the others.
At this moment, a bright idea struck the rural guardsman.
"Ha! Mr. Burgomaster," said he, "if you should fire your gun inside."
"Faith," cried the other, "you're right, we shall catch a glimpse at least."
And without hesitating the worthy man approached the stairway and leveled his gun.
But, by the acoustic effect which I have already pointed out, the spirit, the marauder, the individual who chanced to be actually in the cistern, had heard everything. The idea of stopping a gunshot did not strike him as amusing, for in a shrill, piercing voice he cried:
"Stop! Don't fire—I'm coming."