He had scarcely completed the task, when a flame spurted up.

The leader fearlessly lit a candle and righted the table.

He saw both his prisoners, one of them with extended arms, at the ends of which glistened revolver barrels.
"The devil!" he said.
"Maybe it is," replied Maurice.

"Now, my gay banqueteers, open the door; and the first man who makes a suspicious movement will find that I'm a tolerable shot." "Seize him, your Excellency!" shouted one of the troopers.

"Those are my revolvers he has, and they are not loaded.".