e-entered the hall. They were already engaged in the search,
questioning closely each man in rotation. None was allowed to depart
without being questioned and examined. I immediately sought for
Broussard. He had gone over towards another small door, the same through
which I had escaped the night before. There were two guards posted here.

Broussard dawdled about with the air of a man very much bored, who only
waited his turn to go through a disagreeable ordeal that he might leave.
I fancied his wits were actively at work beneath so impassive an
exterior. He had spoken privately to several men, one at a time, in
careless fashion, and then tapping the legs of the tables, and kicking
the chairs as he passed, he again came near the door. I managed to keep
close to him. As he stood talking to the sentries the four men came up
two by two from opposite directions, and at a sign from him, grappled
with the guard. While they were thus engaged Broussard bolted through
the door. I drew my sword and plunged after him.

From inside, the sentries cried out: "The two spies have gone this way,"
and the whole mob surged out and divided in chase. Some perhaps were in
league with Broussard, others were in the service of Vauban, I could not
tell.

The hall was densely dark; I knew not the way, but I had Broussard but a
few feet in front to guide me; behind, some twenty or thirty stout
varlets strung out in pursuit, not a dozen paces to the rear.

It so happened that there was a door which stood half open, and Broussard
being hard pressed doubled by this and darted in. He was but a couple of
yards ahead and I alone observed this stratagem. When he vanished to the
right, I slipped in behind, just as our foremost pursuers swept by. The
great noises they made and the resounding echoes effectually prevented
their notice of a cessation of sounds from us. Nor did they pause to
listen. Crushing through the narrow passage their pressure slammed the
door behind us. I heard the clank of a heavy bolt as it dropped into
place. Thinking Broussard had sought some secret means of escape known
to himself, and fearing he would get away, I dashed madly on, only to
fetch up with a terrific thump against a stone wall.

The shock dazed me and I fell in a heap to the floor. Perhaps it was as
well, for I made no further noise. But I listened.

The place was intensely dark, and not a sound save the heightened beating
of my own heart distu