第16章 How the Brigadier Captured Saragossa(7)

In any case I adapted my conduct to this supposition, since it was clear that I must get them out of the room, and this would give me a ready excuse to do so.I first cast a glance at the door and observed that the key was within.I then made a gesture to the nuns to follow me.The Mother Superior asked me some question, but I shook my head impatiently and beckoned to her again.

She hesitated, but I stamped my foot and called them forth in so imperious a manner that they came at once.

They would be safer in the chapel, and thither I led them, placing them at the end which was farthest from the magazine.As the three nuns took their places before the altar my heart bounded with joy and pride within me, for I felt that the last obstacle had been lifted from my path.

And yet how often have I not found that that is the very moment of danger?I took a last glance at the Mother Superior, and to my dismay Isaw that her piercing dark eyes were fixed, with an expression in which surprise was deepening into suspicion, upon my right hand.There were two points which might well have attracted her attention.One was that it was red with the blood of the sentinel whom I had stabbed in the tree.That alone might count for little, as the knife was as familiar as the breviary to the monks of Saragossa.

But on my forefinger I wore a heavy gold ring --the gift of a certain German baroness whose name I may not mention.It shone brightly in the light of the altar lamp.Now, a ring upon a friar's hand is an impossibility, since they are vowed to absolute poverty.

I turned quickly and made for the door of the chapel, but the mischief was done.As I glanced back I saw that the Mother Superior was already hurrying after me.I ran through the chapel door and along the corridor, but she called out some shrill warning to the two guards in front.Fortunately I had the presence of mind to call out also, and to point down the passage as if we were both pursuing the same object.Next instant I had dashed past them, sprang into the cell, slammed the heavy door, and fastened it upon the inside.

With a bolt above and below and a huge lock in the centre it was a piece of timber that would take some forcing.

Even now if they had had the wit to put a barrel of powder against the door I should have been ruined.It was their only chance, for I had come to the final stage of my adventure.Here at last, after such a string of dangers as few men have ever lived to talk of, I was at one end of the powder train, with the Saragossa magazine at the other.They were howling like wolves out in the passage, and muskets were crashing against the door.I paid no heed to their clamour, but I looked eagerly around for that train of which Hubert had spoken.Of course, it must be at the side of the room next to the magazine.I crawled along it on my hands and knees, looking into every crevice, but no sign could I see.Two bullets flew through the door and flattened themselves against the wall.The thudding and smashing grew ever louder.I saw a grey pile in a corner, flew to it with a cry of joy, and found that it was only dust.Then I got back to the side of the door where no bullets could ever reach me--theywere streaming freely into the room--and I tried to forget this fiendish howling in my ear and to think out where this train could be.It must have been carefully laid by Hubert lest these nuns should see it.I tried to imagine how I should myself have arranged it had I been in his place.

My eye was attracted by a statue of St.Joseph which stood in the corner.There was a wreath of leaves along the edge of the pedestal, with a lamp burning amidst them.I rushed across to it and tore the leaves aside.

Yes, yes, there was a thin black line, which disappeared through a small hole in the wall.I tilted over the lamp and threw myself on the ground.Next instant came a roar like thunder, the walls wavered and tottered around me, the ceiling clattered down from above, and over the yell of the terrified Spaniards was heard the terrific shout of the storming column of Grenadiers.As in a dream--a happy dream--I heard it, and then I heard no more.

When I came to my senses two French soldiers were propping me up, and my head was singing like a kettle.