Throwing off the cloak, he rapidly changed his clothes.

He wanted now only a regimental sword to complete the costume, but he trusted to the long cloak to hide the absence of this.
Throwing the things that he had taken off under the bed, he went out, closed the door behind him, locked it, and took the key.

He had with him the short sword carried by the warder, and he relied upon this to silence the sentry, at the passage leading to the outer court, should he attempt to stop him.
This, however, was most unlikely.

The night was dark, and there was no light burning; and at this hour, with fresh troops arriving and a general movement in the fortress, there could be no question of a countersign being demanded by a sentry in the interior of the place.

The man, indeed, only drew himself up and saluted, as he dimly made out an officer coming from the major's quarters.
The courtyard beyond was half full of soldiers.