Recovering his surprise and furious at the blow, the man sprang at Pierre to be met with the butt end of Dubois’ musket full in the face. “Back, you mutinous dog,” cried Dubois, in a voice of command, as the man fell stunned and bleeding. “Is this the way you Castle men treat your officers? You know better at least,” he said to his own men. “See that there’s no more of this mutiny. Bring down the visitors, Pierre.” But there was no need to fetch them, for Gerard at the first sound of trouble had hurried down with Gabrielle. The sergeant’s men, taken by surprise stood in doubt what to do; but as two of their new comrades had recognized Dubois for an officer and sided with him, and being as they saw outnumbered, they offered no resistance, and the little party were through the gate, and the gate itself was locked before their surprise had passed. The stairway now was broader and led straight to the open doorway, which let out upon the courtyard; and they were hurrying down, Gerard and Gabrielle leading, when the figures of two men showed in the doorway, and Gabrielle clutched Gerard’s arm in sudden fear. “De Proballe,” she whispered, shrinking against the wall. At the same moment there came the sound of shots and angry voices in the courtyard, and all the evidences of a fierce battle. “It is the guard changing, my lord,” said Pierre. “They have discovered something wrong.” “They have run up against Pascal’s force,” he replied. “Dubois, we must clear that doorway; or we shall be caught like rats in a hole.” “I’ll do it,” answered Dubois sternly, gripping his weapon. “Stay, monsieur, by your leave. I have a thought,” urged Pierre; and without waiting to explain what it was he ran on down the stairway to de Proballe. CHAPTER XX A DASH FOR THE WALLS Dubois looked after Pierre with some misgivings as he saw him accost de Proballe. “I suppose he is to be trusted,” he muttered. “Hasn’t he given proof of it?” replied Gerard. “I would trust him with my life,” said Gabrielle. “And I would trust few men of Morvaix with anything,” returned Dubois. “I am minded to go and hear for myself. While that din rages outside I could get up unheard and would soon have the way clear.” But there was no need for suspicion of Pierre. He went up to de Proballe and addressed him openly. “By your leave, my lord, I was seeking you. The Governor sent me to find you for the work in the turret cell.” “Where is he?” asked de Proballe. “I left him with the prisoner, my lord, and he ordered me, if I should find you, to ask you to hasten to him at once by way of the upper gallery. Jean of the Mask has gone thither and I am in search now of the surgeon.” “Then the prisoner will be racked?” asked de Proballe, in a tone of satisfaction.