Expecting no interruption, they had guarded against none.
Their weapons were in their pockets, their hands busy with their job.

They sprang up the next moment; but the duke's muzzle covered Lafleur, and mine was leveled full at Pierre.

A second later Lafleur fell on his knees with a cry for mercy; the little man stood quite still, his arms by his side and the iron box hard by his feet.

Lafleur's protestations and lamentations began to flow fast.

Pierre shrugged his shoulders.