"No, commander; and I felt anxious about it. The courier whom I sent to Javené returned."
"I am aware of that."
"He reported that he had found in a carpenter-shop at Javené a ladder of the required dimensions, that he had taken possession of it, and having had it put on a wagon, demanded an escort of twelve horsemen; that he had waited to see them set out for Parigné,—the wagon, the escort, and the ladder,—and had then started for home at full speed."
"And reported the same to us, adding that the team was a good one and had started about two o'clock in the morning, and would therefore be here before sunset. Yes, I know all that. What else?"
"Well, commander, the sun has just set and the wagon that is to bring the ladder has not yet arrived."
"Is it possible? But we must begin the attack. The hour has come. If we are late, the besieged will think that we have retreated."
"We can attack, commander."
"But we must have the escape-ladder."
"Certainly."
"But we have not got it"