At the sight Launay lost color and said as he raised his cane:
"To your guns!" Then, threatening Billet, he added: "You scoundrel, to come here and gain time under pretence of a parley, do you know that you deserve death?"
Billet saw the attempt to draw the sword from the cane and pierce him; he seized the speaker by the collar and waistband as swift as lightning, and raising him clear off the ground, he replied:
"And you deserve to be hurled down to the bottom of the ditch to be smashed in the mud. But, never mind, thank God I can fight you in another manner."
At this instant, an immense howl, a universal one, rose in the air like a whirlwind, as Major Losme appeared on the platform.
"Oh, sir, for mercy's sake," he said to Billet: "Show yourself for the people there believe something has happened you and they call for you."
Indeed, the name of Billet, set afloat by Pitou, ascended on the clamor.
The farmer let go Launay who replaced the blade in the stick. The three men hesitated for a moment while the innumerable cries of vengeance and menace arose.
"Show yourself, sir," said Launay, "not because the noise frightens me but to prove that I have acted fairly."
The farmer thrust his head out of the porthole, waving his hand.
At this sight the populace burst with cheering: it was in a measure Revolution standing up in Billet's stead as this man of the lowest ranks trod the Bastile turret like a master.
"That is well, sir," went on Launay. "Now all is ended between us; you have no further business here. They ask for you below; go down."
Billet appreciated this moderation on the part of a man who had him in his power: he went down by the same stairs, the governor following. The major remained up there as the governor had whispered some orders to him.
It was evident that Count Launay had but one wish, that the bearer of the flag of truce should be his active enemy as soon as possible.
Without speaking a word the envoy crossed the yard, where he saw the cannoniers were at their pieces and the lintstocks were lighted and smoking. He stopped before them.
"Friends," he cried, "remember that I came to your commander to stay the shedding of blood, but that he refused me."
"In the King's name, be off from here!" said Launay, stamping his foot.