and other eatables, their suspicions vanished. They burst
into uproarious acclamation.

"Hasten," cried the leader.

"This is the last door."

"Have you the key?"

"It is here."

Marteau lifted the key, thrust it in the lock and turned it slowly, as
if by a great effort and, the door opening outward, he drew it back.

"Enter," he said. "Help yourselves."

With cries of joy like famished wolves the whole band poured into the
wine cellar. All, that is, but Marteau. As the last men entered he
flung the door to and with astonishing quickness turned the key in the
lock and turned away. The door had shut with a mighty crash, the noise
had even stopped the rioting plunderers. The first man who had seized
a bottle dropped it crashing to the floor. All eyes and faces turned
toward the door. The last man threw himself against it frantically.
It held as firmly as if it had been the rock wall. They were trapped.
The leader was quicker than the rest. He still had his weapon.
Thrusting it through the iron bars of the grating in the door he pulled
the trigger. There was a mighty roar, a cloud of smoke, but
fortunately in the dim light his aim was bad. Marteau laughed grimly.

"Enjoy yourselves, messieurs. The provisions are good and you may eat
as much as you like. The wine is excellent. Drink your fill!"

The next instant he leaped up the stairs and retraced his steps. It
was a long distance from the wine-cellar to the great room, but through
the grating that gave entrance to the courtyard the sound of shots had
penetrated. One of the ruffians, committing the woman to the care of
the remaining man, started to follow his comrades. He had his pistol
in his hand. He went noisily, muttering oaths, feeling that something
was wrong but not being able to divine exactly what. Marteau heard him
coming. He put the candle down, concealed himself and, as the man
came, struck him heavily over the head with the butt of his remaining
pistol. He fell like a log. Leaving the candle where it was, the
young officer, dispossessing his victim of his pistols, entered the
hall and, instead of entering the great room by the door by which he
had left it, ran along the hall to the main entrance and thus took the
remaining brigand in the rear.

This man was one of those who had seized the Countess Laure. In spite
of herself the girl started as the officer appeared in the doorway.
The man felt her start, wheeled, his eyes rec