The Captain turned the ring about in his hand. Then he struck the table with his clenched fist and screamed—
"Outwitted! outwitted again! The devil is fighting for you!"
"Rather is he deserting you to whom you sold yourself," retorted Jean.
The chief remained sullen, with knitted brow and clenched teeth, brooding.
"The sun is set," said Jean, and pointed through the window.
The yellow flame had disappeared that had flushed the hills on the further side of the Dordogne, the wooded slopes and the tall rock of Vitrac, itself a natural fortress.
The Captain moved uneasily on his pallet, and looked furtively at his guards near the door.
Jean read his thought.
"Nothing you can do is of any avail, save the release of my father. The first ray of sun that lights the sky sees the spark of life die out in your Noémi's heart."
"What guarantee have I that you will not play me false, and refuse to give her up?"