Hector saw that at any rate there was no chance of a great battle being fought just then, and felt, therefore, no impatience to be off.
Two or three times carts with faggots had been unloaded after the gates were closed, but as they took nothing out, it was impossible for him to conceal himself in them.
At last, to his satisfaction, a number of waggons of flour came in late one afternoon, and he determined to carry his plan into execution that night.

The storehouses were not in the great court, but in a smaller one off it.

Beyond two soldiers at the gate and a sentry at the commandant's door, no guards were kept in the courtyards, though a few sentries were placed upon the walls.

Hector had his supper as usual, and Paolo brought in the news that eight of the waggons had not been unloaded in time to go out.

A fatigue party of soldiers were now completing the work, which would be finished about nine o'clock.