"Not at all--only afraid; he overheard your amiable intentions. We will demonstrate." He turned to Pierre, saying: "Fetch some pepper." "There is none upstairs, monsieur. I dare not go below." "Some snuff?" "Ah, oui! monsieur le marquis likes his pinch. A moment, monsieur." He went into the bedroom, took a snuff-box from his master’s pocket, and returned. Burton opened the box, took a large pinch of snuff, and held it to the major’s nose. There was a slight but dramatic pause. All was silent. Then the major’s features became convulsed, and the silence was rent by a resounding sneeze. "Now, monsieur le capitaine," cried Burton, "could a dead German sneeze like that?" There were snarls of rage from below, mingled, Burton thought, with suppressed laughter from some of the troopers who had gathered in the background behind their officers. "With your good pleasure we will resume our interesting conversation above," said Burton. With Pierre he lowered the bed and carried it back to its former position. Then he replaced the shutters. "Another ten minutes gained," he thought. The ten minutes were prolonged to fifteen. The captain was consulting with his subordinates. Presently he called through the door-- "Are you there?" "Always at your service, monsieur." "Seeing that Major Schwikkard is apparently alive, we will permit you to surrender on terms." "What terms, monsieur?" "You shall be allowed to pass through the German lines." "I should like to consult the general, monsieur," said Burton, still talking to gain time. "Five minutes." "Let us say ten, monsieur," Burton pleaded. "It is, you will admit, a serious matter." "Ten, then; not a minute more." At the end of the ten minutes the captain called for an answer. "The general wishes to know, monsieur, what guarantee he has for safety." "The word of a German officer," snarled the captain. "Be quick!" Waiting a minute or so, Burton said-- "The general has a little difficulty in making up his mind--pardonable at his age. You give him another ten minutes, monsieur?" "Three; not a second more," cried the German, completely hoodwinked by Burton’s tone, and unaware of the vital consideration in Burton’s mind--the return of Captain Rolfe to head-quarters. "Very well, monsieur. I will bring the general’s answer in three minutes." The marquise and Pierre were holding their breath. The same thought possessed them both; to what lengths would this audacious Englishman go? The period elapsed; the captain called peremptorily for an answer. "The general, monsieur, has considered your offer," said Burton, "and he feels safer where he is."