GUICHE. The device was successful, however! (_Playing and smoking again suspended._) CYRANO. Possibly! But who would abdicate the honour of being a target? (_Playing and smoking resumed. Growing satisfaction._) Had I been present when the scarf slipped off,--see how ideas of bravery can vary, Sir,--I should have picked it up and put it on. GUICHE. Yes, Gascon boasting again! CYRANO. Boasting?.... Lend it to me. I offer to hang it on my shoulder and, this very night, to scale with it the enemy's fortifications. GUICHE. A Gascon's offer! You know full well that the scarf remained on the enemy's ground, near the river Scarpe, a place so well covered by Spanish guns that nobody can venture there to get it! CYRANO (_taking a white scarf from his pocket and handing it to Guiche_). Here it is! (_Silence. The Cadets restrain their laughter and affect to be very busy playing. Guiche turns and looks at them; they assume an air of great gravity; one of them, in an absent-minded way, half whistles one of the airs the fife played a while before._) GUICHE (_taking the scarf_). Thank you! I can use this white fabric to make a signal,--that I hesitated to give. (_He goes to the embankment and waves the scarf several times._) ALL. What is this? THE SENTINEL (_on the embankment_). A man, over there, who is running away!.... GUICHE (_coming down from the embankment_). One who plays the part of a Spanish spy. He is very useful to us; takes over to the enemy information that I give him, so that we can influence their decision. CYRANO. He is a blackguard! GUICHE (_slowly tying on his scarf_). Yes, but a great convenience. What were we saying?.... Ah!.... I was going to apprise you of something. Last night, in a desperate attempt to revictual us, the Marshal left for Dourlens; he took with him so many men that an attack upon us just now would certainly be successful. Half of the army is away from the camp! CARBON. But the Spanish do not know of it. GUICHE. Yes, they do. They are going to attack us. My false spy came to tell me of it. He added: "I can have the attack made wherever you prefer." I answered: "Good. Leave the camp and watch it. The point to attack will be the one from which I make a signal to you." CARBON (_to the Cadets_). Gentlemen, make ready! (_The Cadets rise and busy themselves preparing for the fight._) GUICHE. The attack will take place in an hour from now. A FEW CADETS. Oh!.... that is different!