came and went unquestioned, I took heart and hurried on my way in
the direction of the great square. Once a man rose from beside
one of the fires and stopped me by seizing my sleeve. He pointed
to a woman who lay motionless on the road, and I took him to mean
that she was dying, and that he desired me to administer the last
offices of the Church. I sought refuge, however, in the very
little Latin that was left to me. "Ora pro nobis," said I, from
the depths of my cowl. "Te Deum laudamus.

Ora pro nobis." I raised my hand as I spoke and pointed forward.
The fellow released my sleeve and shrank back in silence, while
I, with a solemn gesture, hurried upon my way.

As I had imagined, this broad boulevard led out into the central
square, which was full of troops and blazing with fires. I
walked swiftly onward, disregarding one or two people who
addressed remarks to me. I passed the cathedral and followed the
street which had been described to me. Being upon the side of
the city which was farthest from our attack, there were no troops
encamped in it, and it lay in darkness, save for an occasional
glimmer in a window. It was not difficult to find the house to
which I had been directed, between the wine- shop and the
cobbler's. There was no light within and the door was shut.
Cautiously I pressed the latch, and I felt that it had yielded.
Who was within I could not tell, and yet I must take the risk. I
pushed the door open and entered.

It was pitch-dark within--the more so as I had closed the door
behind me. I felt round and came upon the edge of a table. Then
I stood still and wondered what I should do next, and how I could