the rider from the chateau, and the horse in a foam, clattered away through the village, and galloped up the stony steep, to the prison on the crag. at the gate, a group of officers were looking at the fire; removed from them, a group of soldiers. "help, gentlemen officers! the chateau is on fire; valuable objects may be saved from the flames by timely aid! help, help!" the officers looked towards the soldiers who looked at the fire; gave no orders; and answered, with shrugs and biting of lips, "it must burn."