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far as this square you will find the cathedral at one corner。 In that corner
is the street of Toledo。 Hubert lives in a small house between a cobbler's
and a wine…shop； on the right…hand side as you go from the cathedral。 Do
you follow me？〃
〃Clearly。〃
〃You are to reach that house； to see him； and to find out if his plan is
still feasible or if we must abandon it。〃
He produced what appeared to be a roll of dirty brown flannel。 〃This
is the dress of a Franciscan friar；〃 said he。 〃You will find it the most
useful disguise。〃
I shrank away from it。
〃It turns me into a spy；〃 I cried。 〃Surely I can go in my uniform？〃
〃Impossible！ How could you hope to pass through the streets of the
city？ Remember； also； that the Spaniards take no prisoners； and that your
fate will be the same in whatever dress you are taken。〃
It was true； and I had been long enough in Spain to know that that fate
was likely to be something more serious than mere death。 All the way
from the frontier I had heard grim tales of torture and mutilation。 I
enveloped myself in the Franciscan gown。
〃Now I am ready。〃
〃Are you armed？〃
〃My sabre。〃
〃They will hear it clank。 Take this knife； and leave your sword。 Tell
Hubert that at four o'clock； before dawn； the storming party will again be
ready。 There is a sergeant outside who will show you how to get into the
city。 Good…night； and good luck！〃
Before I had left the room； the two generals had their cocked hats
touching each other over the map。 At the door an under…officer of
engineers was waiting for me。
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I tied the girdle of my gown； and taking off my busby； I drew the cowl
over my head。 My spurs I removed。 Then in silence I followed my
guide。
It was necessary to move with caution； for the walls above were lined
by the Spanish sentries； who fired down continually at our advance posts。
Slinking along under the very shadow of the great convent； we picked our
way slowly and carefully among the piles of ruins until we came to a large
chestnut tree。 Here the sergeant stopped。
〃It is an easy tree to climb；〃 said he。 〃A scaling ladder would not be
simpler。 Go up it； and you will find that the top branch will enable you to
step upon the roof of that house。 After that it is your guardian angel who
must be your guide； for I can help you no more。〃
Girding up the heavy brown gown； I ascended the tree as directed。 A
half moon was shining brightly； and the line of roof stood out dark and
hard against the purple； starry sky。 The tree was in the shadow of the
house。
Slowly I crept from branch to branch until I was near the top。 I had
but to climb along a stout limb in order to reach the wall。 But suddenly
my ears caught the patter of feet； and I cowered against the trunk and tried
to blend myself with its shadow。 A man was coming toward me on the
roof。 I saw his dark figure creeping along； his body crouching； his head
advanced； the barrel of his gun protruding。 His whole bearing was full of
caution and suspicion。 Once or twice he paused； and then came on again
until he had reached the edge of the parapet within a few yards of me。
Then he knelt down； levelled his musket； and fired。
I was so astonished at this sudden crash at my very elbow that I nearly
fell out of the tree。 For an instant I could not be sure that he had not hit
me。 But when I heard a deep groan from below； and the Spaniard leaned
over the parapet and laughed aloud； I understood what had occurred。 It
was my poor； faithful sergeant； who had waited to see the last of me。 The
Spaniard had seen him standing under the tree and had shot him。 You
will think that it was good shooting in the dark； but these people used
trabucos； or blunderbusses； which were filled up with all sorts of stones
and scraps of metal； so that they would hit you as certainly as I have hit a
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THE ADVENTURES OF GERARD
pheasant on a branch。 The Spaniard stood peering down through the
darkness； while an occasional groan from below showed that the sergeant
was still living。 The sentry looked round and everything was still and
safe。
Perhaps he thought that he would like to finish of this accursed
Frenchman； or perhaps he had a desire to see what was in his pockets； but
whatever his motive； he laid down his gun； leaned forward； and swung
himself into the tree。 The same instant I buried my knife in his body； and
he fell with a loud crashing through the branches and came with a thud to
the ground。 I heard a short struggle below and an oath or two in French。
The wounded sergeant had not waited long for his vengeance。
For some minutes I did not dare to move； for it seemed certain that
someone would be attracted by the noise。
However； all was silent save for the chimes striking midnight in the
city。 I crept along the branch and lifted myself on to the roof。 The
Spaniard's gun was lying there； but it was of no service to me； since he had
the powder…horn at his belt。 At the same time； if it were found； it would
warn the enemy that something had happened； so I thought it best to drop
it over the wall。
Then I looked round for the means of getting of the roof and down into
the city。
It was very evident that the simplest way by which I could get down
was that by which the sentinel had got up； and what this was soon became
evident。 A voice along the roof called 〃Manuelo！ Manuelo！〃 several
times； and； crouching in the shadow； I saw in the moonlight a bearded
head； which protruded from a trap… door。
Receiving no answer to his summons； the man climbed through；
followed by three other fellows； all armed to the teeth。 You will see here
how important it is not to neglect small precautions； for had I left the
man's gun where I found it； a search must have followed and I should
certa