Rougon, who was losing his head, defended his order with all his remaining strength.

This locking of the gates seemed to him one of the most ingenious acts of his administration; he advanced the most convincing arguments in its justification.

But the others embarrassed him by their questions, asking him where were the soldiers, the regiment that he had promised.

Then he began to lie, and told them flatly that he had promised nothing at all.

The non-appearance of this legendary regiment, which the inhabitants longed for with such eagerness that they had actually dreamt of its arrival, was the chief cause of the panic.