“On the other hand, what I propose to you is this. You order your coach, we enter with you, you drive out through the gates, announcing that you go on a mission of importance. Three hours later you drive in again, we with you.” I saw both men start. “You will send us back to our second watch on the roof. We release the two sentries, who will not have been discovered, return them their uniforms, secure their silence, regain our rooms, and remove all traces of our flight. Everything will be as it was before, and when in the morning the regent sends to inquire after his prisoners, you can inform him that they are safe. Does the plan strike you favorably, monsieur?”
I had been watching him closely as I talked and I was satisfied that he would consent. I loosened the gag.
“Do you consent, monsieur?” I repeated.
“What assurance have I that you will return with me?” he asked.
“My word of honor.”
“And yours also, M. le Duc?”
“Certainly, mine also,” answered Richelieu.
“Messieurs,” said Maison-Rouge, “I understand nothing of all this, but I am in your power. I will do anything to keep my prisoners. I consent.”
“And what assurance have we?” I asked.
“My word of honor also.”