"A good man, if he has wisdom in him, must always rise like a cork to the top of the water," he mused.
Then he started hastily to his feet. There was the dull thud of a heavy blow, the beginning of a groan which was immediately smothered, and as the captain rushed to the door men met him on the threshold, and forced him back.
"A sound means death!" one man said hoarsely, "If you are wise you will keep what bravery you have for a better cause."
"Pierre Briant!" exclaimed the prisoner.
"The same—a captain in the forces of Duke Roger. The gate is ours, the city will be ours presently. Up, men, see that none escape or give the alarm, but treat them kindly if they will let you."
The self-satisfied young officer sank back into his chair with a groan.
"Hearten up, man," said Briant. "You have failed in a bad cause, you may live to succeed in a good one. You're over-young to be a captain."
The man was quiet for a moment, and then he sprang from his chair.
"Don't be a fool!" said Pierre Briant, and the young captain shrank back from the gleaming revolver barrel.
The capture was accomplished in silence and without bloodshed; even the sentry over the gate had been seized and gagged before he had time to utter a cry. He had heard men ascending the winding stairs, but had only thought of the relief coming earlier than he had expected.