The captive bound to the pillar laughed. They turned on him in fury.
“You found the way to open the ball, and you removed the paper!” snarled the chief. “Tell us where it is, you American meddler!”
“You are entirely wrong,” coolly said Frank. “I am certain the ball has not been opened since it came into my possession, and I know nothing of the paper it contained.”
“Don’t lie!”
“I am not lying.”
“What shall we do with him, brothers?” asked the chief.
There was a sudden swishing ring of steel, and seven bright swords came leaping from their scabbards into the hands of their owners.
“We must destroy him!” said the hooded band.
Seven swords were pointed at Frank’s breast.
“For the honor of France he must die!” declared the chief. “When I have counted to three, each man shall plunge his sword through the captive’s body!”