torture and mutilation. I enveloped myself in the Franciscan
gown.

"Now I am ready."

"Are you armed?"

"My sabre."

"They will hear it clank. Take this knife, and leave your sword.
Tell Hubert that at four o'clock, before dawn, the storming party
will again be ready. There is a sergeant outside who will show
you how to get into the city. Good-night, and good luck!"

Before I had left the room, the two generals had their cocked
hats touching each other over the map. At the door an
under-officer of engineers was waiting for me.

I tied the girdle of my gown, and taking off my busby, I drew the
cowl over my head. My spurs I removed. Then in silence I
followed my guide.

It was necessary to move with caution, for the walls above were
lined by the Spanish sentries, who fired down continually at our
advance posts. Slinking along under the very shadow of the great
convent, we picked our way slowly and carefully among the piles
of ruins until we came to a large chestnut tree. Here the
sergeant stopped.

"It is an easy tree to climb," said he. "A scaling ladder would