Part 68 (2/2)

By this method they might reasonably hope to deceive the guards outside in the corridor. Some of them, indeed, did come to the door and look in, then went away to say to their companions:

”We have just taken a look at the prisoner. He is very pale, and his eyes are glittering feverishly. He is reading aloud to divert his mind.

Corporal Bavois is looking out of the window. It must be dull music for him.”

The baron's voice would also be of advantage in overpowering any suspicious sound, should there be one.

And while Bavois worked, M. d'Escorval read, read, read.

He had completed the perusal of the entire paper, and was about to begin it again, when the old soldier, leaving the window, motioned him to stop.

”Half the task is completed,” he said, in a whisper. ”The lower bars are cut.”

”Ah! how can I ever repay you for your devotion!” murmured the baron.

”Hus.h.!.+ not a word!” interrupted Bavois. ”If I escape with you, I can never return here; and I shall not know where to go, for the regiment, you see, is my only family. Ah, well! if you will give me a home with you, I shall be content.”

Whereupon he swallowed a big draught of brandy, and set to work with renewed ardor.

The corporal had cut one of the second row of bars, when he was interrupted by M. d'Escorval, who, without discontinuing his reading, had approached and pulled Bavois's long coat to attract his attention.

He turned quickly.

”What is it?”

”I heard a singular noise.”

”Where?”

”In the adjoining room where the ropes are.”

Honest Bavois muttered a terrible oath.

”Do they intend to betray us? I risked my life, and they promised me fair play.”

He placed his ear against an opening in the part.i.tion, and listened for a long time. Nothing, not the slightest sound.

”It must have been some rat that you heard,” he said, at last. ”Resume your reading.”

And he began his work again. This was the only interruption, and a little before four o'clock everything was ready. The bars were cut, and the ropes, which had been drawn through an opening in the wall, were coiled under the window.

The decisive moment had come. Bavois took the counterpane from the bed, fastened it over the opening in the door, and filled up the key-hole.

”Now,” said he, in the same measured tone which he would have used in instructing his recruits, ”attention, sir, and obey the word of command.” Then he calmly explained that the escape would consist of two distinct operations; the first in gaining the narrow platform at the base of the tower; the second, in descending to the foot of the precipitous rock.

The abbe, who understood this, had brought Martial two ropes; the one to be used in the descent of the precipice being considerably longer than the other.

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