What his ultimate fate would be he could not tell.

Could he hold that castle indefinitely?
If not, what?
How he was to get away and reach Napoleon with his vital news he could not see.

There must be some way, however.

Well, whatever was to be would be, and meanwhile he could only wait developments and hold on.
The troopers outside were very much astonished to find the heavy door closed and the two sentries dead on the terrace.

They dismounted from their horses at the foot of the terrace and crowded about the door, upon which they beat with their pistols, at the same time shouting the names and titles of the officers within.