"So I was, against my will, but that does not lessen the obligations of my oath. While I live, I shall adhere to my sworn promise."
"You vas foolish—you don'd vil get any credit for your resolve. Yoost ash like ash not you will pe killed, on der suspicion dot's already against you."
"Perhaps. If so, I shall submit, knowing I have been innocent of breaking my word."
"Pshaw! dis vos all nonsense! You don'd vas vant to die no more ash any odder man. Let me cut der bonds vot fastens your arm, und ve vill climb up to der attic und escape vrom der roof to some place where we vil pe safe, undil we can make arrangements to break oop dis smugglers' league."
"Nothing would please me more, but owing to my oath, I must positively refuse to do anything of the kind," Hartly persisted, firmly. "I admire your proposed attempt, and while I shall do nothing to interrupt it, I can not conscientiously do anything to help it along. Can you enlighten me any as to the mystery of this head, which, though not possessed of life, yet uses its voice so naturally?"
"I dells you noddings apoud it," Fritz replied, shaking his head. "Hark!"
"Yes! I hear it. It is Gregg and the boys coming back. Quick! or you will be seen!"
Fritz made haste to shin up the rope to the garret once more, and had barely succeeded in so doing when the smugglers, headed by Captain Gregg, once more entered the room.
They did not come boldly in, but thrust their heads in and took a look around first.
Seeing that no harm had come to Hartly, they then ventured in.