Follow me, they shall be at your service." The officer followed my host upstairs; the others remained below.
Presently I heard a loud outcry and scuffling of feet above, and a shouted word of command.

The soldiers instantly rushed up the stairs.
But no speed of theirs could equal that with which I darted from my hiding-place and out at the open door into the street, thanking Heaven that whatever rats might be caught that night in the Rue d'Agnes I was not one of them..