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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 methey
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were streaming freely into the roomand 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 dreama happy dreamI 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。
I staggered to my feet and looked around me。 The plaster had fallen；
the furniture was scattered； and there were rents in the bricks； but no signs
of a breach。 In fact； the walls of the convent had been so solid that the
explosion of the magazine had been insufficient to throw them down。 On
the other hand； it had caused such a panic among the defenders that our
stormers had been able to carry the windows and throw open the doors
almost without assistance。 As I ran out into the corridor I found it full of
troops； and I met Marshal Lannes himself； who was entering with his staff。
He stopped and listened eagerly to my story。
〃Splendid； Captain Gerard； splendid！〃 he cried。
〃These facts will certainly be reported to the Emperor。〃
〃I would suggest to your Excellency；〃 said I； 〃that I have only finished
the work that was planned and carried out by Monsieur Hubert； who gave
his life for the cause。〃
〃His services will not be forgotten；〃 said the Marshal。
〃Meanwhile； Captain Gerard； it is half…past four； and you must be
starving after such a night of exertion。
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My staff and I will breakfast inside the city。 I assure you that you
will be an honoured guest。〃
〃I will follow your Excellency；〃 said I。 〃There is a small engagement
which detains me。〃
He opened his eyes。
〃At this hour？〃
〃Yes； sir；〃 I answered。 〃My fellow…officers； whom I never saw until
last night； will not be content unless they catch another glimpse of me the
first thing this morning。〃
〃Au revoir； then；〃 said Marshal Lannes； as he passed upon his way。
I hurried through the shattered door of the convent。
When I reached the roofless house in which we had held the
consultation the night before； I threw of my gown and I put on the busby
and sabre which I had left there。
Then； a Hussar once more； I hurried onward to the grove which was
our rendezvous。 My brain was still reeling from the concussion of the
powder； and I was exhausted by the many emotions which had shaken me
during that terrible night。 It is like a dream； all that walk in the first dim
grey light of dawn； with the smouldering camp…fires around me and the
buzz of the waking army。 Bugles and drums in every direction were
mustering the infantry； for the explosion and the shouting had told their
own tale。 I strode onward until； as I entered the little clump of cork oaks
behind the horse lines； I saw my twelve comrades waiting in a group； their
sabres at their sides。 They looked at me curiously as I approached。
Perhaps with my powder… blackened face and my blood…stained hands I
seemed a different Gerard to the young captain whom they had made
game of the night before。
〃Good morning； gentlemen；〃 said I。 〃I regret exceedingly if I have
kept you waiting； but I have not been master of my own time。〃
They said nothing； but they still scanned me with curious eyes。 I can
see them now； standing in a line before me； tall men and short men； stout
men and thin men： Olivier； with his warlike moustache； the thin； eager
face of Pelletan； young Oudin； flushed by his first duel；