All together now." And with one accord they hurled themselves against the door, which of course offered no resistance, and admitted them toppling one over the other into the room.
I waited no longer, but slipped down the stairs and into the clock.

I had to displace the pendulum to do it, but trusted to the muddled condition of the enemy not to miss the ticking.
After a while they came down in a towering rage, blaming one another for what had happened.

They were just in the humour to be quarrelsome, and as I stood motionless in my narrow sentry-box I heard as pretty a battle of words as it has ever been my lot to listen to.
Their one comfort was that I could not be far away.

Either I had gone out by the window, in which case I had undoubtedly broken my neck; or I was down in the cellar, in which case I would keep till morning.
"Meanwhile, comrades, let us drink long life to the Republic, and down with the Girondists." So to drink they fell, but were hardly settled when a loud summons came at the outer door, and a shout of, "Open, in the name of the Republic One and Indivisible!" Then did mine host quake in his shoes, and his comrades turned pale.
"To bed!" whispered my host with trembling voice.

"Go up and sleep." They were not long in obeying, and that night the bed that was meant for me held three of the soundest sleepers in all France.
The knocking continued, and mine host, feigning a great yawn, took down his key and asked who was there.
"Citoyen Picquot, open to the National Guard." The door opened, and half-a-dozen soldiers trooped into the shop.
"Produce your lodgers," demanded the soldier in command.
"I have but three, citizen soldier.