Charlemagne accepted the proposition and Hernier de la Seine, for that was the man’s name, accompanied by Guyon de Bretagne, left the camp, followed by some good soldiers. Hernier de la Seine hid Guyon and his soldiers nearby and advanced alone to the château. Under pretext of having quarreled with Charlemagne, whom he said had driven him from camp, he had come to offer his sword to Maugis. This lie, delivered with an air of candor, completely deceived Maugis, and he freely promised him a place in the castle and that all his wants should be satisfied. When night came, Hernier, to reward Maugis for his good action, quietly stole up on the sentinel guarding one of the gates and slew him, then opened it for the entrance of Guyon and his soldiers. Quietly dividing their forces into small detachments they advanced in good order to the principal places. It seemed as if Maugis and his brave brothers were lost, but the neighing of their horses in the stables awakened them and a loud noise struck their ears without their being able to imagine the true cause. In times of war, however, caution is paramount, and acting on this thought all four arose and went out. What they saw did not leave them deceived as to the gravity of their situation. Guyon, now master of the place, guarded all the means of exit. Other soldiers were engaged in setting fire to various places in the fortress. In such a lamentable position there was but one thing to do, that was to seek to dominate events with courage and coolness. The four brothers separated after a hasty consultation with some of their men and each attacked the men guarding the points of issue. They soon overcame the enemy, who were deprived of assistance from without. In vain the traitors tried to escape. The four redoubtable brothers opposed them irresistibly, until the gateways were encumbered with the dead. Hernier and twelve others were all who escaped the carnage, and were taken prisoners, and the men were hurled without pity from the walls of the castle into the moat. [Illustration: SURPRISE OF THE CASTLE.] CHAPTER VI. Maugis now perceived that their position was no longer tenable, as the flames by this time had made great headway and everything around them was doomed to destruction. He at once advised his brothers that it would be best to gather the remainder of their garrison together and that very night quietly vacate the fortress. When all had assembled, Hernier de la Seine was brought out, and despite all his excuses and abject protestations of devotion in the future, he was hurled from the ramparts to accompany his twelve acolytes. Having accomplished this act of justice the little band mounted their horses and quietly rode away without trusting themselves one look behind at the ruins of their poor castle. Maugis, above all, was inconsolable, and but for the restraining words of his brother Alard, would have at one time retraced his steps.