the adventures of gerard(吉拉德历险记)-第12节
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convent garden； but to pass inside the convent unquestioned was not so
easy。
The first thing which I did was to walk round the garden； and I was
soon able to pick out one large stained…glass window which must belong
to the chapel。 I had understood from Hubert that the Mother Superior's
room； in which the powder was stored； was near to this； and that the train
had been laid through a hole in the wall from some neighbouring cell。 I
must； at all costs； get into the convent。 There was a guard at the door；
and how could I get in without explanations？ But a sudden inspiration
showed me how the thing might be done。 In the garden was a well； and
beside the well were a number of empty buckets。 I filled two of these；
and approached the door。 The errand of a man who carries a bucket of
water in each hand does not need to be explained。 The guard opened to
let me through。 I found myself in a long； stone…flagged corridor； lit with
lanterns； with the cells of the nuns leading out from one side of it。 Now
at last I was on the high road to success。 I walked on without hesitation；
for I knew by my observations in the garden which way to go for the
chapel。
A number of Spanish soldiers were lounging and smoking in the
corridor； several of whom addressed me as I passed。 I fancy it was for
my blessing that they asked； and my 〃Ora pro nobis〃 seemed to entirely
satisfy them。 Soon I had got as far as the chapel； and it was easy enough
to see that the cell next door was used as a magazine； for the floor was all
black with powder in front of it。 The door was shut； and two fierce…
looking fellows stood on guard outside it； one of them with a key stuck in
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his belt。 Had we been alone； it would not have been long before it would
have been in my hand； but with his comrade there it was impossible for
me to hope to take it by force。 The cell next door to the magazine on the
far side from the chapel must be the one which belonged to Sister Angela。
It was half open。 I took my courage in both hands and； leaving my
buckets in the corridor； I walked unchallenged into the room。
I was prepared to find half a dozen fierce Spanish desperadoes within；
but what actually met my eyes was even more embarrassing。 The room
had apparently been set aside for the use of some of the nuns； who for
some reason had refused to quit their home。 Three of them were within；
one an elderly； stern…faced dame； who was evidently the Mother Superior；
the others； young ladies of charming appearance。 They were seated
together at the far side of the room； but they all rose at my entrance； and I
saw with some amazement； by their manner and expressions； that my
coming was both welcome and expected。 In a moment my presence of
mind had returned； and I saw exactly how the matter lay。
Naturally； since an attack was about to be made upon the convent；
these sisters had been expecting to be directed to some place of safety。
Probably they were under vow not to quit the walls； and they had been
told to remain in this cell until they received further orders。
In any case I adapted my conduct to this supposition； since it was clear
that I must get them out of the room； and this would give me a ready
excuse to do so。 I first cast a glance at the door and observed that the key
was within。 I then made a gesture to the nuns to follow me。 The
Mother Superior asked me some question； but I shook my head
impatiently and beckoned to her again。
She hesitated； but I stamped my foot and called them forth in so
imperious a manner that they came at once。
They would be safer in the chapel； and thither I led them； placing them
at the end which was farthest from the magazine。 As the three nuns took
their places before the altar my heart bounded with joy and pride within
me； for I felt that the last obstacle had been lifted from my path。
And yet how often have I not found that that is the very moment of
danger？ I took a last glance at the Mother Superior； and to my dismay I
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saw that her piercing dark eyes were fixed； with an expression in which
surprise was deepening into suspicion； upon my right hand。 There were
two points which might well have attracted her attention。 One was that it
was red with the blood of the sentinel whom I had stabbed in the tree。
That alone might count for little； as the knife was as familiar as the
breviary to the monks of Saragossa。
But on my forefinger I wore a heavy gold ring the gift of a certain
German baroness whose name I may not mention。 It shone brightly in
the light of the altar lamp。 Now； a ring upon a friar's hand is an
impossibility； since they are vowed to absolute poverty。
I turned quickly and made for the door of the chapel； but the mischief
was done。 As I glanced back I saw that the Mother Superior was already
hurrying after me。 I ran through the chapel door and along the corridor；
but she called out some shrill warning to the two guards in front。
Fortunately I had the presence of mind to call out also； and to point down
the passage as if we were both pursuing the same object。 Next instant I
had dashed past them； sprang into the cell； slammed the heavy door； and
fastened it upon the inside。
With a bolt above and below and a huge lock in the centre it was a
piece of timber that would take some forcing。
Even now if they had had the wit to put a barrel of powder against the
door I should have been ruined。 It was their only chance； for I had come
to the final stage of my adventure。 Here at last； after such a string of
dangers as few men have ever lived to talk of； I was at one end of the
powder train； with the Saragossa magazine at the other。 They were
howling like wolves out in the passage； and muskets were crashing against
the door。 I paid no heed to their clamour； but I looked eagerly around for
that train of which Hubert had spoken。 Of course； it must be at the side
of the room next to the magazine。 I crawled along it on my hands and
knees； looking into every crevice； but no sign could I see。 Two bullets
flew through the door and flattened themselves against the wall。 The
thudding and smashing grew ever louder。 I saw a grey pile in a corner；
flew to it with a cry of joy； and found that it was only dust。 Then I got
back to the side of the door where no bullets could ever reach methey
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were streaming freely into the roomand I tried to forget this fiendish
howling in my ear and to think out where this train could be。 It must
have been carefully laid by Hubert lest these nuns should see it。 I tried to
imagine how I should myself have arranged it had I been in his place。
My eye was attracted by a statue of St。 Joseph which stood in the
corner。 There was a wreath of leaves along the edge of the pedestal； with
a lamp burning amidst them。 I rushed across to it and tore the leaves
aside。
Yes； yes； there was a thin black line； which disappeared through a
small hole in the wall。 I tilted over the lamp and threw myself on the
ground。 Next instant came a roar like thunder； the walls wavered and
tottered around me； the ceiling clattered down from above； and over the
yell of the terrified Spaniards was heard the terrific shout of the storming
column of Grenadiers。 As in a dreama
