"I don't care if there are ten of them; it would make no difference. Where's Conrad?"
"By the foot-bridge which we put in the place of the bridge that was burnt down. He's keeping watch from there."
"Conrad is a clever one. When the bridge was burnt, we were kept on the other side; if the foot-bridge is burnt, it'll produce the same hindrance. Véronique, I really believe they're coming to rescue you. It's the miracle you expected, the assistance you hoped for. But it's too late, my beauty."
He untied the bonds that fastened her to the balcony, carried her to the sofa and loosened the gag slightly:
"Sleep, my wench," he said. "Get what rest you can. You're only half-way to Golgotha yet; and the last bit of the ascent will be the hardest."
He went away jesting; and Véronique heard the two men exchange a few sentences which proved to her that Otto and Conrad were only supers who knew nothing of the business in hand:
"Who's this wretched woman whom you're persecuting?" asked Otto.
"That doesn't concern you."
"Still, Conrad and I would like to know something about it."
"Lord, why?"