The baron extended his hand, and in a voice trembling with emotion: "Thanks," said he; "thanks to you who, without knowing me, expose yourself to the greatest danger for my sake." Bavois shrugged his shoulders disdainfully.
"Positively, my old hide is no more precious than yours.

If we do not succeed, they will chop off our heads with the same axe.

But we shall succeed.

Now, let us cease talking and proceed to business." As he spoke he drew from beneath his long overcoat a strong iron crowbar and a small vial of brandy, and deposited them upon the bed.
He then took the candle and passed it back and forth before the window five or six times.
"What are you doing ?" inquired the baron, in suspense.
"I am signalling to your friends that everything is progressing favorably.

They are down there waiting for us; and see, now they are answering." The baron looked, and three times they saw a little flash of flame like that produced by the burning of a pinch of gunpowder.
"Now," said the corporal, "we are all right.