"Well, I think it's too bad," said Frank, "to kill the young chap."
"Why? Why?" exclaimed the Skeleton, in a savage tone; "no one has a right to protect a traitor."
"Yes, to be sure, he is a traitor,—so much the worse for him," said Frank, after a moment's reflection.
These latter words, and Gros-Boiteux's assurance, put the doubts which the other prisoners had entertained against Frank to rest.
The Skeleton alone continued to mistrust him.
"And what are we to do with the turnkey? Tell us, Dead-Alive, for that is your name as well as the Skeleton," said Nicholas, with a grin.
"We must draw off his attention somehow."
"No; we'll hold him down by main force."
"Yes!"
"No!"