"Bah! I should do the same as old Rochart," said Frantz. "I should die quietly. The old fellow was right. When one has done one's duty, why should one be afraid?"
Just then the hum of voices was heard on their right.
"It is Marc Divès and Hullin," said Kasper, listening.
"Yes; they must be just returning from throwing up breastworks behind the pine-wood, to protect the cannon," added Frantz.
They listened again; the footsteps came nearer.
"Thou must be very much bothered with these three prisoners," said Hullin, roughly. "Since thou returnest to the Falkenstein to-night to get ammunition, what prevents thee from taking them away?"
"Where are they to be put?"
"Why, in the communal prison of Abreschwiller, to be sure. We cannot keep them here."
"All right, I understand, Jean-Claude. And if they try to escape on the way, I am to use my sword?"
"Just so."