"Amen!" replied all the voices. The Marquis rose. "Now let us die," he said. "And kill, as well," said the Imânus. The blows from the butt-ends of the muskets already shook the chest that stood within the door, barring the entrance. "Turn your thoughts to God," said the priest; "earth no longer exists for you." "Yes," rejoined the Marquis, "we are in the tomb." All bowed their heads and smote their breasts. The priest and the Marquis alone remained standing. All eyes were fixed on the ground,--the priest and the peasants absorbed in prayer, the Marquis buried in his own thoughts. The chest, under the hammer-like strokes of the guns, sent forth its dismal reverberations. At that moment a powerful, resonant voice suddenly rang out behind them, exclaiming,-- "I told you so, Monseigneur!" All the heads turned in amazement. A hole had just opened in the wall. A stone, fitting perfectly with the others, but left without cement and provided with a pivot above and below, had revolved on itself like a turnstile, and, as it turned, had opened the wall. In revolving on its axis it opened a double passage to the right and left,--narrow, it is true, yet wide enough to allow a man to pass; and through this unexpected door could be seen the first steps of a spiral staircase. A man's face appeared in the opening, and the Marquis recognized Halmalo. [Illustration 120] XII. THE DELIVERER. "Is that you, Halmalo?" "It is I, Monseigneur. You see I was right about the turning stones, and that there is a way of escape. I have come just in time. But you must make haste; ten minutes more, and you will be in the heart of the forest." "God is great!" said the priest. "Save yourself, Monseigneur!" cried the men. "Not until I have seen every one of you in safety," said the Marquis. "But you must lead the way, Monseigneur," said the Abbé Turmeau. "Not so," replied the Marquis; "I shall be the last man to leave." And in a severe tone he continued:-- "Let there be no strife in this matter of generosity. We have no time for a display of magnanimity; your only chance for life is in escape. You hear my commands: make haste now, and take advantage of this outlet,--for which I thank you, Halmalo." "Are we, then, to separate, Monsieur le Marquis?" asked the Abbé Turmeau. "Certainly, after we have left the tower; otherwise, there would be small chance for escape." "Will Monseigneur appoint some place of rendez-vous?" "Yes; a glade in the forest,--the Pierre-Gauvaine. Do you know the spot?" "We all know it." "All those who are able to walk will find me there to-morrow at noonday." "Every man will be on the spot." "And then we will begin the war over again," said the Marquis. Meanwhile Halmalo, bringing all his strength to bear on the turning stone, found that it would not stir, and therefore the opening could not be closed.