To this the
officers assented, but warned him that his life might pay the price of
his temerity. He laughed at this. He had been talking, with his head
and throat well muffled, and the collar of his greatcoat drawn about his
ears. Once or twice he coughed, a hacking, wrenching cough, which struck
the ears of more than one of the officers painfully; for they had known
him in his best and gayest days at Quebec.

It was arranged that he should advance, holding out a flag of truce.
Before he went he drew aside one of the younger lieutenants, in whose
home at Quebec his sister had always been a welcome visitor, and told
him briefly the story of his marriage, of his wife and of Nicolas. He
sent Christine a message, that she should not forget to carry his last
token to his sister! Then turning, he muffled up his face against the
crisp, harsh air (there was design in this also), and, waving a white
handkerchief, advanced to the door of the store-room.

The soldiers waited anxiously, fearing that Nic would fire, in spite
of all; but presently a spot of white appeared at one of the loopholes;
then the door was slowly opened. Ferrol entered, and it was closed
again.

Nicolas Lavilette grasped his hand.

"I knew you wouldn't go back on me," said he. "I knew you were my
friend. What the devil do they want out there?"

"I am more than your friend: I'm your brother," answered Ferrol,
meaningly. Then, quickly taking off his greatcoat, cap, muffler and
boots: "Quick, on with these!" he said. "There's no time to lose!"

"What's all this?" asked Nic.

"Never mind; do exactly as I say, and there's a chance for you."

Nic put on the overcoat. Ferrol placed the cap on his head, and muffled
him up exactly as he himself had been, then made him put on his own
top-boots.

"Now, see," he said, "everything depends upon how you do this thing. You
are about my height. Pass yourself off for me. Walk loose and long as I
do, and cough like me as you go."

There was no difficulty in showing him what the cough was like: he
involuntarily offered an illustration as he spoke.

"As soon as I shut the door and you start forward, I'll fire on them.
That'll divert their attention from you. They'll take you for me, and
think I've failed in persuading you to give yourself up. Go straight
on-don't hurry--coughing all the time; and if you can make the dark,
just beyond the soldiers, by the garden bench, you'll find two men.
They'll help you. Make for