The officer knocked.

“Who is there?” cried Chicot.

“Your friends the grocers, who have something important to tell you.”

“Oh!” cried Chicot; “how last night’s wine has strengthened your voice.”

The officer lowered his voice, and said in an insinuating tone, “Open quickly, dear companion.”

“Ventre de biche!  I do not smell the grocery.”

“Ah! you will not open?” cried the officer, impatiently.  “Break open the door.”

Chicot ran to the window, but saw below two naked swords shining.

“I am caught,” said he.

“Ah! ah!” cried the officer, who had heard the noise of the window opening; “you fear the perilous leap, and you are right.  Come, open!”

“Ma foi! no; the door is solid, and I shall get help when you make a noise.”  And he began to call for the merchants.

The officer laughed.  “Fool!” cried he.  “Do you think we have left you their help?  Undeceive yourself; you are alone, so make up your mind to it.  Go on, soldiers.”

Chicot heard three blows struck on the door.

“They have three muskets,” said he; “and below there are only two swords, and only fifteen feet to jump; I prefer the swords to the muskets.”

And tying his bag to his belt, he got on the window-sill with his drawn sword.  The two men below stood ready with their drawn swords, but, as Chicot guessed, on seeing him jump sword in hand, they drew back, intending to strike him as he came to the ground.  Chicot alighted on his feet, and one of the men gave him a thrust immediately.  Thanks, however, to Gorenflot’s coat of mail, the blade broke like glass.

“He has armor!” cried the soldier.

“Pardieu!” said Chicot, cutting open his head with a blow of his sword.

The other began to cry out, thinking now only of defending himself, but, at the second pass, Chicot laid him by his comrade; so that when the door was burst open, the officer saw through the window his two sentinels lying in their blood, and Chicot running quietly away.

“He is a demon; he is steel proof!” cried he.

“Yes; but not ball-proof!” cried the soldiers.

“No firing; no noise; you will wake the city.  We shall catch him to-morrow.”

CHAPTER XXXVI.

The third day of the journey.

Chicot knew he was safe in the city of Etampes, where he was under the protection of magistrates who would have arrested the officer immediately on his complaint.  It was the knowledge of this which had induced the officer to stop his men from firing, and to abstain from pursuit.  Therefore he retired with his soldiers, leaving the two dead men on the ground after laying their swords by them, that it might seem as though they had killed each other.

Chicot vainly searched for his former companions, and then determined to stay for a time in the city; and even, after watching the officer and his men leave the town, had the audacity to return to the inn.  There he found the host, who had not recovered from his terror, and who watched him saddling his horse as though he had been a phantom, and never even asked him for his money.