"Perfectly," agreed Saunders with composure, "but you will find the proceeding difficult and rather dangerous."
A low laugh followed Saunders' words.
"That's the spirit I admire!" cried the outlaw. "There's a dash of the devil about that—and the devil, you know, is a particular friend of mine."
"So I have been led to understand," said Saunders drily.
Again the outlaw laughed.
"Come," he said, "will you make a truce with us? We could probably kill you and your friend there, but we should lose a man or two in the killing. Make truce, and we give you a free return to Weidenbruck, or wherever you choose to go. Your friend Karl has got away safely now,—thanks to your infernal coolness,—so you can make peace with honour."
Saunders shrugged his shoulders.
"If my friend, Captain von Hügelweiler, agrees," he said, "I consent. Only there must be no further pursuit of us or the royal party."
"I give my word," said Bernhardt.
"Can we trust it?" whispered Von Hügelweiler. But the ex-priest overheard, and for answer clambered down the cliff beside them.