methinks there is no prospect whatever of our being able to get
out."

"That remains to be seen, Paolo. I fancy there is always a chance
of escape if one does but hit upon the right way. At present we
know nothing of the castle or the vigilance of the guard, and no
doubt it will take us some little time to find these matters out.
The first thing we require is patience. No doubt they will allow
me out to take exercise, and like enough, if I give my word that
you will return every day at a certain hour, they will allow you
to go in to the town, seeing that you can scarcely be called a
prisoner, having no military rank or position, but being in their
eyes only a lackey. If they will do that it will be a great step
gained, for you will be able to bring in anything that we may
require. However, I will not ask that you should be permitted to
go in and out for some little time.

"Lose no opportunity of making yourself friendly with some of the
soldiers, and if the chance should occur, be useful to any of the
officers. The commandant is evidently disposed to be civil, and says
that he will grant me any indulgence in his power short of passing
the gates of the castle. I have no doubt that when the campaign
is over and the army has gone into winter quarters Turenne will
offer to exchange some prisoners of the same rank for me. But I
have no wish to be cooped up here when perhaps a great battle may
be fought. As far as I can see, the difficulty will not be so
much in getting out of the castle, but out of the town itself, for
this is one of the most strongly fortified places in the empire.
One reason why I want you to go into the town is that you may be
able to obtain shelter there for us should we find, as I expect