The bullet buried itself in the ceiling above.
"Thank God!" cried Marteau as the sound died away and he saw the Emperor standing unharmed.
Napoleon's keen eye had seen everything.
"It is this lady," said he gracefully, "to whom my safety is due.

And I am not unmindful that you interposed your own body between the bullet and your Emperor." "Your Majesty," cried Marteau, now that his Emperor was safe, fain to discharge his duty, "I have tidings of the utmost importance.

I have held this chateau and detained this convoy the Russians had captured.
It contains powder, food, guns----" "I know," said the Emperor.

"It comes in the nick of time." "And I have to report, Sire, that the corps of Wittgenstein, Wrede and of the Field-Marshal Bluecher, himself, are strung out at long intervals to the eastward of Champaubert.

They have no idea of your proximity." "Are the divisions in supporting distance of one another ?" "No, Sire.