Page:Gaston Leroux--The bride of the sun.djvu/186



opened the door, and looked down the staircase, where he both heard and saw his guards sleeping. Pale with anger, the Dictator woke them, and ordered the officer to muster his men on the landing.

"My soldiers never sleep!" he declared to the consul. "Look at them. Do they look as if they wanted sleep?… Come, my lads, a little exercise to keep you fit. Out of that window with you all!"

His outstretched arm pointed to the bedroom window, nearly five yards above the ground. The poor hussars looked at him, hesitated, and jumped. Remained only the officer.

"Well, and what are you waiting for, major? You should be with your men."

Then, as the officer did not move, he seized him round the waist, and threw him out of the window. The watching ministers and the consul, anxious not to take the same route, laughed heartily at the jest, and went to look into the courtyard. Those of the soldiers who had landed more or less safely were picking up three 172