Raoul, first disengaged, tore the burning wainscoting down, and threw it flaming into the chamber.

At a glance D'Artagnan saw there was nothing to be feared from the fire, and sprang to the window.

The disorder was at its height.
The air was filled with simultaneous cries of "To the fire!" "To the death!" "To the halter!" "To the stake!" "_Vive Colbert!_" "_Vive le roi!_" The group which had forced the culprits from the hands of the archers had drawn close to the house, which appeared to be the goal towards which they dragged them.

Menneville was at the head of this group, shouting louder than all the others, "To the fire! to the fire! _Vive Colbert!_" D'Artagnan began to comprehend what was meant.

They wanted to burn the condemned, and his house was to serve as a funeral pile.
"Halt, there!" cried he, sword in hand, and one foot upon the window.
"Menneville, what do you want to do ?" "Monsieur d'Artagnan," cried the latter; "give way, give way!" "To the fire! to the fire with the thieves! _Vive Colbert!_" These cries exasperated D'Artagnan.