.

a thud, a leap--the back wheels had evidently crushed some very fragile obstacle.
Desnoyers was still huddled in his seat, benumbed and with closed eyes.
The horror around him made him think of his own fate.

Whither was this lieutenant taking him?
.

.

.
He soon saw the town hall flaming in the square; the church was now nothing but a stone shell, bristling with flames.