“Earth!”
“Earth it is, our common mother. I place it upon my head, and what does that signify?”
“That you are on oath.”
“So; the most solemn oath known among us. By this, then, know that I am speaking the truth when I say that, if we do it, a thousand roubles to each will be our reward.”
An interval of silence followed this promise.
“How did he find out that she was here?” asked one of the men presently.
“Her mask accidentally slipped off.”
“But if it’s now on her face again how are we to recognise her?”
“By her dress. There are five hundred ladies here to-night, so I’m told, but only one with her costume. She wears a grey domino——”
“So do many other ladies.”