To desert his post, even though he left it guarded by another, would, he knew, be considered one of the gravest military crimes.

Therefore the struggle in his mind between duty on the one side and his sufferings on the other was long and pitiful.
Finally pain conquered.

"Well, well, Master Rene," he said, gruffly, "I must e'en take thy advice, and obtain speedy release from this pain, or else be found here dead ere the post be relieved.

Keep thou open keen eyes and ears, and I pray that no harm may come of this my first neglect of duty in all the years that I have served the King." With these words the old soldier thrust his pike into Rene's hands, and hurried away as quickly as his pain would permit towards his own quarters in the smithy.
As soon as Simon was out of hearing, Rene went and recovered his cross-bow.

Then he carefully and noiselessly undid the fastenings of the great gate, and swung it open a few inches.