I repeated the directions.
"You have learned your lesson. You will ask him the hour—only that."
"And you will take oath not to betray us," commanded Gervais.
I took out the cross that hung on my rosary. I was ready to swear. Gervais prompted:
"I swear to go and come straight, and speak no word to any but Martin."
With all solemnity I swore it on my cross.
"That oath will be kept," said Yeux-gris. He held out a sudden hand for the cross, which I gave him, wondering.
"I swear that we mean no harm whatsoever to the Duke of St. Quentin." He kissed the cross and flung the chain back over my neck.
At last I saw the door unlocked. Yeux-gris even returned to me my knife.
"Au revoir, messieurs."