Pagina 220 de 1118

Griso then called the rest, and made some of them conceal

themselves by the side of those behind the fig-tree; he then

opened the door very softly, placed two centinels on the inside

of it, and advanced to the lower chamber. He knocked; he

waited-and well might wait; he raised the latch; no one from

within said, "Who is there?" Nothing could go on better. He then

called the robbers from the fig-tree, and with them entered the

room where he had in the morning so villanously received the loaf

of bread. He drew out his flint, tinder-box, and matches, and

striking a light, proceeded to the inner chamber; it was empty!

He returned to the stairs, and listened; solitude and silence! He

left two to keep watch below, and with the others carefully

ascended the stairs, cursing in his heart the creaking of the

steps. He reached the summit, pushed softly open the door of the

first room, and listened if any one breathed or moved: no one!