At that moment his eye caught the large barn-like building at the extremity of the Vaudrey estate, just beyond the ditch running into the canal. In a flash a new idea set his pulse leaping. Hitherto his only aim had been to delay or daunt the enemy until help could arrive from Breda or some nearer point. But the recollection of what he had seen when going round the estate on the previous evening suggested a daring scheme which made him tingle with excitement. Adèle looked at him in silent curiosity as he stood for a few moments pondering the situation. Then he turned suddenly to her. "Mademoiselle, who opens the sluices of the ditch when you make your skating-pond?" "Jacques the gardener." "Thank you! I will go to him." He turned at once to descend. As he came to the head of the staircase he noticed a mass of coloured stuff lying at the foot of the belfry. "Ah, the flag!" he said. "Thank you, Mademoiselle!" A glance upward assured him that the running-line was in order; then without another word he went down. Finding the gardener, he hurried with him to the park entrance. His wagons were drawn up outside. He ordered three of his teamsters to drive their carts into the thicket beyond the outbuilding down the road. "The enemy will have a rearguard," he said. "As soon as that has well passed, bring your wagons into the road and block it between the wall and the canal. I will send a dozen men and two of the dragoons to remain in hiding with you. Now, Jacques, go to the ditch and open the sluices. How long will it take to flood the field to a depth of seven or eight inches?" "Not more than half an hour, Monsieur." "Very well. Stay; have you a boat anywhere on the estate?" "A punt, Monsieur. I go to market in it on the canal." "Where is it?" "In the old barn yonder, Monsieur." "Bring it out and float it in the ditch half-way across the field. Moor it so that it doesn’t drift." The man hurried away. "’Tis all ready, sir," said Sherebiah, coming up. "The road is blocked towards the bend, and the men be hidden in the wood. Med I ask, sir, if shouten would be any use?" Harry smiled. "We found it useful once, eh, Sherry? Certainly; when you see the flag go up, the more noise you make the better, especially if you can make a din with garden tools, or anything of steel." "Trust me, sir; I ha’n’t served wi’ a travellen show for nothen. I’ll show ’em the way, ay sure." "Mind, not a movement till you see the flag. Now, to your places." He returned once more to the house. Adèle met him at the door. "I have done all you said. Is there anything more that I can do?" "Thank you, Mademoiselle! nothing, I think. I wish to see Madame de Vaudrey now." They went together into the reception-room. The general had recovered consciousness, and lay prone on the couch. The doctor was at the window talking to Madame de Vaudrey, who was clearly in a state of intense agitation.