Inside the great hall Marteau had once more taken command.

In all this excitement Laure d'Aumenier had stood like a stone, apparently indifferent to the appeals of the four bound men on the floor and the Englishman in the chair that she cut the ropes with which they were bound, while the French officer was busy at the door.

Perhaps that young peasant might have prevented her, but as a matter of fact, she made no attempt to answer their pleas.
She stood waiting and watching.

Just as Marteau reentered the room the chief Russian officer shouted out a command.

From where he lay on the floor his voice did not carry well and there was too much tumult outside for anyone to hear.