"Monsieur," said the colonel, when he had again held converse with his two comrades, "we are old soldiers, and have faced fire too often to be afraid; we accept the part you offer us, for, unfortunately, or rather, perhaps, fortunately, what you say with regard to our patriotism is true, and if you laid your hand on our hearts, you would feel the effect the sight of the tricolour flag we have been longing for for the past fifteen years has produced upon us.... What, monsieur, is the agreement we are to enter into with you?"
"To go inside your house, and not to come out of it unless you learn that I have been killed or until I shall myself come and release you from your promise."
"I promise on my honour as a soldier for both myself and my comrades!"
I walked up to him and held out my hand. Three hands were held out instead of one; three hands pressed mine with cordiality.
"Come, this is not all," said the colonel. "When one undertakes a task like yours, it should succeed."
"Will you assist me, then, with your advice?"
He smiled.
"Where are you going now?"
"To the commander of the fort, M. de Linières."