It was now nearly seven o'clock and the dawn was approaching.
After a good ten minutes' discussion, it was decided to advance as far as the door, so as to ascertain what might be the meaning of this disquieting darkness and silence.

The door proved to be half open.

One of the conspirators thereupon popped his head in, but quickly withdrew it, announcing that there was a man under the porch, sitting against the wall fast asleep, with a gun between his legs.

Rougon, seeing a chance of commencing with a deed of valour, thereupon entered first, and, seizing the man, held him down while Roudier gagged him.

This first triumph, gained in silence, singularly emboldened the little troop, who had dreamed of a murderous fusillade.