"They will hardly attack again in
that time, sir."
Hal shook his head.
"They are likely to attack at any moment," he replied slowly. "Besides,
if we do succeed in beating them off once more, there is nothing to
assure us that we will be relieved then."
"Nothing sir," returned Francois, "except Captain Leroux's word that we
have only to hold this house two hours, sir."
"True," said Hal, brightening visibly. "I shouldn't have spoken as I did.
We must trust to the others, and if they fail, why, we'll know it is not
their fault."
"Right, sir," said Francois. "If they fail, it will not be their fault."
He returned to his place at the window.
On the floor below Captain Leroux also had taken account of his
casualties. Merely a handful of men remained unwounded. Some of the
men who had felt the effects of the German fire were still in
condition to continue the fight should their services be necessary,
but their number was few.
The captain shook his head dubiously as he glanced at his watch.
"Ten minutes," he muttered. "Well, we'll hold it that long, but
afterwards I can't be held accountable, there will be none of us left."
In the basement Chester and his five men still were unmarked.
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