re within.

"No," was the answer. "Remember we've only got eight shots and we must
wait."

"Let us have lights," cried the commander of the squadron. "Here, take
one of those wagons and----"

In a few moments a bright fire was blazing in the courtyard.

"The shots came from those windows," continued the Russian. "Keep out
of the way and---- Isn't that a window open up there?"

"It is, it is!" came the answer from a dozen throats.

All the talk being in Russian was, of course, not understood by the two
Frenchmen.

"One of you climb up there," continued the Russian. "You see the
spout, and the coping, that buttress? Ten roubles to the man who does
it."

A soldier sprang forward. Those within could hear his heavy body rub
along the wall. They did not know what he was doing or what was
toward. They were in entire ignorance that a shutter had become
detached from its hinges in the room above the drawing-room and that
they would soon have to face an attack from the rear. The man who
climbed fancied himself perfectly secure, and indeed he was from those
within. It was a hard climb, but presently he reached the
window-ledge. His hands clasped it, he made a brave effort, drew
himself up and on the instant from beyond the wagons came a pistol
shot. The man shrieked, released his hold and fell crashing to the
ground. The besiegers broke into wild outcries. Some of them ran in
the direction whence the shot had come. They thought they caught the
glimpse of a figure running away in the darkness. Pistols were fired
and the vicinity was thoroughly searched, but they found nothing.

The shot, the man's cry overhead, the body crashing down to the ground,
enlightened Marteau. He handed Pierre two of the six remaining
pistols, told him to run to the floor above and watch the window. The
young peasant crossed himself and turned away. He found the room
easily enough. It was impossible to barricade the window, but he drew
back in the darkness and waited.

Having found no one in the grove beyond the baggage-wagons, the
Russians called for another volunteer and a second man offered. Pierre
heard him coming, permitted him to gain the ledge and then thrust the
pistol in his face and pulled the trigger. At the same time a big
Cossack coming within easy range and standing outlined between the
loophole and the fire, Marteau gave him his second bullet, with fatal
effect. There flashed into his mind that the shot w