But now that the spell of silence was broken the sounds came thick and
fast. From boat to shore and back from shore to boat came quick question
and answer, all in the fiercest whispers. I looked back--a fatal thing
to do--for in the instant someone caught sight of my face, which showed
white on the dark water, and shouted. Hands pointed to me, and in a
moment or two the boat was under weigh, and following hard after me. I
had but a little way to go, but quicker and quicker came the boat after
me. A few more strokes and I would be on the shore, but I felt the
oncoming of the boat, and expected each second to feel the crash of an
oar or other weapon on my head. Had I not seen that dreadful axe
disappear in the water I do not think that I could have won the shore. I
heard the muttered curses of those not rowing and the laboured breath of
the rowers. With one supreme effort for life or liberty I touched the
bank and sprang up it. There was not a single second to spare, for hard
behind me the boat grounded and several dark forms sprang after me. I
gained the top of the dyke, and keeping to the left ran on again. The
boat put off and followed down the stream. Seeing this I feared danger
in this direction, and quickly turning, ran down the dyke on the other
side, and after passing a short stretch of marshy ground gained a wild,
open flat country and sped on.

Still behind me came on my relentless pursuers. Far away, below me, I
saw the same dark mass as before, but now grown closer and greater. My
heart gave a great thrill of delight, for I knew that it must be the
fortress of Bicêtre, and with new courage I ran on. I had heard that
between each and all of the protecting forts of Paris there are
strategic ways, deep sunk roads where soldiers marching should be
sheltered from an enemy. I knew that if I could gain this road I would
be safe, but in the darkness I could not see any sign of it, so, in