The general had been chafing at his inability to take a positive part in the fight. Stimulated by the success Burton had had from his post of vantage, the old warrior’s Gallic spirit threw aside caution. Slipping into the passage, he was in the act of placing another chair on the table when a bullet fired from the angle on the landing struck a brass bracket on the wall at his left, rebounded from it, and buried itself with a splinter of brass in the old man’s arm. He reeled. Burton sprang down to assist him, and carried him fainting into the bedroom, where his wife received him into her arms. [Illustration: The marquis is hit] "Hard luck!" thought Burton, for the shot that wounded the general was the last to be fired for a considerable time. VI The enemy ceased firing, both within the château and without. Wondering what their next move would be, Burton remained heedfully on guard, rifle in hand. Pierre, overcome with grief at the collapse of his master, was assisting the marquise to restore him and to bind up his wound. Presently the German’s voice came through the door. "General du Breuil!" "What do you want?" Burton called. "You treacherous hound! I have nothing to say to you," cried the German, angrily. "I speak to the general." "The general deputes me to answer for him. If you will not speak to me, you will go unanswered." "Who are you?" the German asked with an oath. "The general’s deputy," replied Burton. "That will not avail you," cried the officer, sneeringly. "I have sent to the village to fetch that rascally smith who assisted your imposture. When he has told me who you are, he shall be deaf and dumb for his last minute in life." Burton felt chill from top to toe. He had not thought of the peril in which his stratagem might involve the smith. The Germans were capable of any enormity. But he could do nothing--except gain time. Would the British advance guard arrive before all was lost? "Well, if the general chooses to employ a cur as his deputy, so be it," the German went on. "Like man, like master. Take this message to the general: If he does not yield, I will fire the château." "And if we surrender?" said Burton. "We will deal with him as a soldier. He will be tried by court-martial." "On what charge?" "That, having been a soldier, with no excuse of ignorance of the laws of war, he, as a civilian, resists the military power." "And if he is found guilty?" "His fate will lie in the discretion of the court." "And his old servant?" The German, anxious to gain his ends without further fighting, hesitated, then replied, equivocally-- "The court will decide." "And myself?" "The court will decide," replied the officer, impatiently. "Is that all?" The German smote the door angrily. "Your answer!" he cried. "You will give us a few minutes for consultation?" "Five minutes: no more." Burton stood on his chair, holding his rifle.