In spite of his natural courage, Jeannin, who found himself involved in an affair from which he had nothing to gain, and who was not at all desirous of being suspected of having helped in an abduction, whispered to the commander—­

“Faith!  I think our wisest course is to consent.”

De Jars, however, before replying, wished to try if he could by any chance throw his enemy off his guard for an instant, so as to take him unawares.  His hand still rested on the hilt of his sword, motionless, but ready to draw.

“There is someone coming over yonder,” he cried,—­“do you hear?”

“You can’t catch me in that way,” said Quennebert.  “Even were there anyone coming, I should not look round, and if you move your hand all is over with you.”

“Well,” said Jeannin, “I surrender at discretion—­not on my own account, but out of regard for my friend and this woman.  However, we are entitle to some pledge of your silence.  This statement that you demand, once written,—­you can ruin us tomorrow by its means.”

“I don’t yet know what use I shall make of it, gentlemen.  Make up your minds, or you will have nothing but a dead body to place—­in the doctor’s hands.  There is no escape for you.”

For the first time the wounded man faintly groaned.

“I must save her!” cried de Jars,—­“I yield.”

“And I swear upon my honour that I will never try to get this woman out of your hands, and that I will never interfere with your conquest.  Knock, gentlemen, and remain as long as may be necessary.  I am patient.  Pray to God, if you will, that she may recover; my one desire is that she may die.”

They entered the house, and Quennebert, wrapping himself once more in his mantle, walked up and down before it, stopping to listen from time to time.  In about two hours the commander and the treasurer came out again, and handed him a written paper in the manner agreed on.

“I greatly fear that it will be a certificate of death,” said de Jars.

“Heaven grant it, commander!  Adieu, messieurs.”

He then withdrew, walking backwards, keeping the two friends covered with his pistols until he had placed a sufficient distance between himself and them to be out of danger of an attack.

The two gentlemen on their part walked rapidly away, looking round from time to time, and keeping their ears open.  They were very much mortified at having been forced to let a mere boor dictate to them, and anxious, especially de Jars, as to the result of the wound.

CHAPTER VII