d tunnel
apparently about six feet high and as many feet wide. We then moved
cautiously but rapidly forward, hand-in-hand, meeting with no difficulty
or inconvenience during our passage, excepting such as arose from the
mephitic atmosphere. This, however, was in itself sufficiently trying,
and I was heartily glad when, after the lapse of nearly a quarter of an
hour, we suddenly experienced a delicious whiff of cool pure night-air,
and immediately afterwards emerged from the confined tunnel-like passage
into a moderately spacious cavern, through the foliage at the mouth of
which a broad patch of the luminous star-lighted sky was visible.

"Who goes there?" ejaculated a voice from a mass of deep shadow on one
side of the cave.

I recognised Giaccomo's voice, and at once replied, adding an inquiry as
to whether he had detected any signs of the presence of the enemy in the
neighbourhood of the cavern.

"None whatever, signor," he replied. "I have seen nothing all the time
I have been here, and have heard nothing except the sound of distant
firing in the direction of the chateau."

"Then let us be off at once," said I. "The sooner we get into the main
road the less likelihood will there be of our meeting with molestation."

Without more ado Francesca was accordingly assisted by Giaccomo to
mount, my wounded arm precluding me from seizing that coveted privilege,
after which the Corsican and I sprang into our saddles, and the
cavalcade moved forth into the dazzling moonlight, taking our way over
the short springy turf in a direction which enabled us to keep the
chateau between us and the French, being cautious at the same time to
keep as much as possible within the shadow of the trees. After
travelling in this way for about a couple of miles, the chateau became
entirely concealed from view by the intervening trees (though the sound
of brisk firing could still be distinctly heard); I therefore sent
Giaccomo to the front as guide, with instructions to shape such a course
as would take us out upon the high road to Ajaccio, and ranged my own
horse up alongside that of Francesca, who had behaved with admirable
coolness and courage throughout the adventure, but seemed keenly
distressed at the necessity which forced her from her father's side at a
time of such peculiar peril to him. This feeling I at once set myself
to combat, making as light as possible of the peril, and stating that
the attack upon the chateau was merely