"It is impossible for me to grant a longer period."
"And suppose I refuse?"
"You will not do so,"
"For what reason?"
"Because you are furious with me, and hope to avenge yourself some day."
"Excellently reasoned; but supposing I do refuse?"
"In that case, I will treat you and yours exactly as you intended to treat me and mine."
"That is to say?"
"You will be all shot within a quarter of an hour."
There was a mournful silence. No other sound could be heard but the dry and monotonous one produced by the escapement of the clock. These men, collected without seeing each other, in so narrow a space, felt their hearts beat as if to burst their chests; they trembled with impotent rage, for they recognised that they were really in the hands of an implacable foe, against whom any struggle was mad, if not impossible.