him, were unable to strike him in front. The lady tore some strips
off her garment and assisted in bandaging the wound, being, as she
said, well accustomed to such matters.

"Is all quiet on the stairs?" Hector inquired of the two men whom
he had placed on guard there.

"Save for the sound of some groans all is still, colonel," Hunter
replied. "Methinks that after being withstood for four hours by
six retainers they are not likely to make a fresh attempt against
six well armed men.

"What are they doing, Macpherson?"

"They are gathered in front of the chateau, sir. A large number of
things were dragged out before the flames reached them, and at
present they seem to be quarrelling over the division of them. They
have got some barrels of wine out of the cellars and are making
free with them."

"So much the better," Hector said. "The company will be up in half
an hour at latest, and will give them a lesson unless they move
away before that; and now that they have taken to drinking they
are not likely to do so."

The bandaging of his wounds being now completed, Hector was assisted
to his feet.

"I grieve, madam," he said, "that I did not arrive in time to
prevent the chateau being burned."