Marteau gathered them up.

The English baronet yielded one other, a huge, heavy, old-fashioned weapon.
"There are loopholes in the shutters yonder," said the officer.

"Do you take that one, I will take the other.

They will get away from the door in a moment and as soon as you can see them fire." "Mademoiselle," said the Russian officer desperately, "I shall have to report to the commander of the guard and he to the Czar that you gave aid and comfort to our enemies." "But what can I do ?" asked the young woman.

"Monsieur Marteau could certainly shoot me if I attempted----" "Assuredly," said Marteau, smiling at her in a way anything but fierce.
It was that implicit trust in her that restrained her and saved him.
As a girl the young countess had been intensely fond of Jean Marteau.
He certainly appeared well in his present role before her.