A fight is useless now.

It would only be waste of blood." He was obeyed with an alacrity that showed that every one appreciated the danger.

The little company drew together in the darkness.
Montbar, who knew the windings of the subterranean passage almost as well as Morgan, directed the troop, and, followed by his companions, he plunged into the heart of the quarry.

Suddenly, as he neared the gate of the passage, he fancied he heard an order given in a low tone not fifty feet away, then a sound like the cocking of guns.

He stretched out both arms and muttered in a low voice: "Halt!" At the same instant came the command, this time perfectly audible: "Fire!" It was hardly given before the cavern was lighted with a glare, followed by a frightful volley.