"Good God!" cried I. "What is it? What do you hear, Léon?"
"The French are in the city, mon oncle. Listen to that!"
His voice echoed a triumph which thrilled me. Instantly I was at his side listening to the familiar sounds. Never did the roll of a drum fall so pleasantly upon a man's ear.
"We are saved," said I, though heaven knows the hope of it was still but a dream.
Well, we stood there for a full hour, speculating upon what we should do to get the news to our comrades. Certainly we might have bribed the jailers if any had come to the tower. Not a sound, however, disturbed the serenity of the prison. Our attempt to attract the attention of the sentries by smashing the lantern against the glass of the windows ended but in ignominious derision. The fellows never noticed us, and another hour must have passed before the door of the cell was opened and the young captain entered. I perceived immediately that he had come to tell us the news. His manner was obsequious to the point of ridicule.
"Messieurs," he said, "I am to take you immediately to the prefect's house."
Upon which he uttered a word of command and a dozen men with lanterns appeared upon the narrow staircase.
It was a new turn and we knew not what to make of it. Evidently the merry old gentleman desired still to have us in his power, and the prospect of finding ourselves alone with him was far from reassuring. So much the young captain perceived and hastened to remove our apprehensions.
"Messieurs," he said, "you have nothing to fear. The prefect has discovered his mistake and is anxious to apologise. You will be wise to take advantage of so favourable an opportunity. As for myself, I have done my duty. You will remember that when you make a report of this affair to his Excellency the marshal."
We promised that we would do so. It was evident, upon reflection, that no mischief could come to us now that the French were in the city, and curiosity alone would have sent us to the prefect's house.
The latter proved to be hardly a stone's throw from the prison walls. We were driven there in the same sledge which had carried us to Elbing, and, being arrived at the _conciergerie_, were immediately admitted and conducted into a spacious hall, blazing with lights and superb in the richness of its decoration. Here, to our astonishment, Valerie herself received us.