Placing himself in front of the door, he swung his heavy hammer and brought it down upon the woodwork.

A dozen blows, and the door began to splinter.
The crack of a pistol sounded above, and the officer standing close to him fell dead.

Four or five shots were fired, by the soldiers, at the window above.

Another two or three blows, and the door gave way.
Philip went aside as the soldiers, followed by a crowd, rushed in; and returned to Claire, who was standing by the side of Pierre, a few paces away.
"Let us go on," he said.
A few yards further they were at the entrance of a lane running north.

As Philip turned into it, a man caught him by the arm.
"Where are you going, comrade ?" he said.