It was plainly advisable for them to act at once. All their manœuvring had taken considerable time, and Ascanio was fearful lest his absence and Aubry's had been prejudicial to the master's interests. Drawing their swords as they ran, they hastened to the door leading into the first courtyard, where the garrison should be, assuming that they had not changed their position. When they reached the door, Ascanio put his eye to the keyhole, and saw that the courtyard was empty. "Benvenuto has succeeded," he cried; "the garrison has gone out. The hotel is ours!" and he tried to open the door, which proved to be locked. Both of the young men put forth all their strength in an effort to force it. "This way! this way!" exclaimed a voice, which found an echo in Ascanio's heart: "this way, Monsieur!" He turned and saw Colombe at a window on the ground floor. In two bounds he was at her side. "Aha!" exclaimed Jacques Aubry, following him; "it seems that we have friends in the citadel! Aha! you didn't tell me that, my boy!" "Oh! save my father, Monsieur Ascanio!" cried Colombe, without any indication of surprise at the young man's appearance, and as if his presence were the most natural thing in the world. "They are fighting outside, do you know, and it's all for me, all on my account! O mon Dieu! mon Dieu! grant that they kill not one another!" "Have no fear," said Ascanio, darting into the apartment, which had a door leading into the little courtyard; "have no fear, I will answer for everything!" "Have no fear," said Jacques Aubry, following at his heels; "have no fear, we will answer for everything!" As he entered the room Ascanio heard his name called a second time, but by a voice much less musical than the other. "Who calls me?" he said. "I, my young friend," the same voice replied, with a most pronounced Teutonic accent. "Pardieu!" cried Aubry, "'t is our Goliath! What the deuce are you doing in that hen-roost?" he added, looking through the window of the gardener's shed, at which he saw a face which he recognized as Hermann's. "I haf found myself here, but I know not how I haf here come. Draw the bolt, that I may go and fight. Quick, quick, quick! my hand itches." "There you are!" said the student, rendering Hermann the service he requested.