IN WHICH THE DÉNOUEMENT TAKES PLACE.
When a formidable explosion resounded. All the atmosphere which
enveloped Quiquendone seemed on fire. A flame of an intensity and
vividness quite unwonted shot up into the heavens like a meteor. Had it
been night, this flame would have been visible for ten leagues around.
The whole army of Quiquendone fell to the earth, like an army of monks.
Happily there were no victims; a few scratches and slight hurts were
the only result. The confectioner, who, as chance would have it, had
not fallen from his horse this time, had his plume singed, and escaped
without any further injury.
[Illustration: The whole army of Quiquendone fell to the earth]
What had happened?
Something very simple, as was soon learned; the gasworks had just blown
up. During the absence of the doctor and his assistant, some careless
mistake had no doubt been made. It is not known how or why a
communication had been established between the reservoir which
contained the oxygen and that which enclosed the hydrogen. An explosive
mixture had resulted from the union of these two gases, to which fire
had accidentally been applied.
This changed everything; but when the army got upon its feet again,
Doctor Ox and his assistant Ygène had disappeared.