Then the smith had unfolded his arms, thrust them forward.
"Wait," he cried.
At that there was a fresh sensation.
For it was seen that one of his wrists—his left—was already encircled by a bracelet of shining steel, forged there of a single piece, and that to the bracelet itself there was forged a link, fine but powerful, and that other links ran back over his shoulder.
"Ha!" snarled the duke. "So you've come prepared!"
"By the grace of God!" replied Gaspard the smith, unafraid. He cast a look about him, brought his eyes back to the duke. "Moi, Gaspard," he said, "I forge my own chains—always! I'm a smith, I am."
The two old people kneeling just back of him began to sob and to groan. Gaspard turned and looked down at them.
"Shut up," he ordered; "I'm talking."
He smiled at the duke. He explained.
"You see, they're frightened," he said. "When I found out what your highness and your highness's lady-granddaughter were planning up here in the castle, why, I went to these old folks and told them that I wanted their daughter Susette."