"'Do you wish it so, Monseigneur? Then I swear it.'
"'Upon the cross of your sword-hilt, Perrot, Gabriel shall never know from you of this perilous mystery?'
"'Upon the cross of my sword-hilt, Monseigneur!' said Perrot, his right hand held aloft.
"'Thanks, my dear friend. Now do with me as you will, my faithful servant. I place my reliance on your courage and the favor of God.'
"'Be self-possessed and confident, Monseigneur,' replied Perrot. 'You will soon see.'
"Recalling the leader of the men-at-arms, he said,—
"'What the prisoner has said to me is satisfactory, and you may unbind him and let him go.'
"'Unbind him! Let him go!' rejoined the astounded leader.
"'To be sure! Such are Monsieur de Montmorency's orders.'
"'Monsieur de Montmorency,' replied the man-at-arms, shaking his head, 'ordered us to keep this prisoner in sight, and said as he went away that we should answer for it with our lives. How can it be that Monsieur de Montmorency now wishes us to set the gentleman at liberty?'