The gendarmes, though their barracks were close by, could not even be warned.

It was necessary to shut the town-hall doors in all haste, in order to deliberate.

Five minutes later a low continuous rumbling announced the approach of the column.
Monsieur Garconnet, out of hatred to the Republic, would have greatly liked to offer resistance.

But he was of a prudent nature, and comprehended the futility of a struggle on finding only a few pale men, who were scarcely awake, around him.

So the deliberations did not last long.