The money is of the utmost importance now, for we may want it to bribe some of the jailers; and therefore I must get it, even if it delays us for a day." They found indeed that, as they had feared, there was still fire among the mass of debris.
"We must quench it before we can do anything, Jean.

I have no doubt that the women will help." Francois was at once sent round and, in a short time, all the women in the place were assembled with pails.

Martin and Francois worked the windlass of the well, the women carried pails of water, and Leigh threw the contents on to the smouldering mass above where he knew the kitchen fireplace must have stood.

Clouds of steam rose and, from time to time, some of the women with rakes pulled off the upper layer of ashes.

They worked till nightfall, by which time steam had ceased to rise.
"That will do for tonight," Jean said; "we will finish the job tomorrow morning.