The lads passed the bridge unquestioned, entered the gate of the town, and made their way to the commandant's house.
"What do you want ?" the sentry at the door asked as they came up.
The regiment was French, and Hector answered at once: "We want to see the governor, we have important news for him." The soldier was greatly surprised, for he had not expected his question to be understood by these peasant boys.
"Sergeant," he called out, "here are two peasant boys who speak French.
They want to see the governor, and say that they have news of importance to give him." A sergeant came out.
"Sergeant," Hector went on quietly, "you will please tell the governor that the two persons he sent out under an escort the evening before last, wish to see him." By the tone of assurance in which the lad spoke, rather than by his words, the sergeant saw that there was something more than appeared on the surface, and at once took up the message.

He returned almost immediately.

"Please to follow me," he said, and led the way up to the governor's room.
"Welcome back again, Monsieur Campbell! You have returned sooner than I expected.

You found, of course, that the difficulties were insuperable ?" "On the contrary, sir, we have been successful, and have communicated with the garrison of the citadel." "You have!" the governor exclaimed in astonishment.

"How on earth did you manage it?
I heard that the watch was so strict that it was absolutely impossible for a message to be sent through." "It was not very difficult after all, and we were greatly favoured by the snowstorm." He then gave an account of how they had managed it.
"Pardieu!" he exclaimed, "that was admirably done; but I am keeping you talking while you are sitting in your wet clothes." "I think they are quite dry now, sir; and we have walked so fast that we are both thoroughly warm.