HOW THE HERO GAVE HIS WORD AND KEPT IT
I stood still and reflected.
"You lack a weapon," said M. de Berquin, humorously. "I shall presently give you mine, point first."
As I was still facing Barbemouche, I imagined the point of the Vicomte's sword entering my back, and I will confess that I shivered.
"And I mine," growled Barbemouche. "Though you are a lackey and I a gentleman, yet, by the grandmother of Beelzebub, I am glad to see you!"
"Indeed!" said I, whose only hope was to gain time for thought. "This is a heartier welcome than a stranger might expect."
De Berquin laughed. Barbemouche said, "You are no stranger."
"Then you know me?" said I. "Who am I?"
"You are the answer to a prayer," said Barbemouche, with an ugly grin. "You thought you fooled us finely last night, and that when you had made a hole in my body you had done with me. But I got a look at you after the mistake was discovered, and I vowed the virgin a dozen candles in return for another meeting with you. And now she has sent you to me."
And he looked at me with such jubilant vindictiveness that I turned and faced De Berquin, saying: