"Is there anyone among us who can or will answer for you?" the masked man then asked.
"I cannot say; for I do not know the persons among whom I find myself."
"How know you that?"
"I suppose so, as they, as well as I, are masked."
"The Dark-Hearts," said the interrogator in a deep tone, "consider not the countenance; they search souls."
The General bowed at this sentence, which appeared to him to border upon the ridiculous. The interrogator continued:—"Do you know the conditions of your affiliation?"
"I know them."
"What are they?"
"To sacrifice mother, father, brothers, relations, friends, and myself, without hesitation, to the cause which I swear to defend."
"What next?"