"I am very pleased to hear it, colonel, as it will, I hope, make my negotiations with you all the easier." The colonel came towards me, and I handed him the paper, taking advantage of the moment's time thus given me, while the other soldiers collected round him, to get between them and the door of the house. I was, it is true, alone, but the three men I had to deal with were unarmed. "Well, colonel?" I asked in a minute or two. "I can say nothing, monsieur, seeing the order is indeed signed by General Gérard." "On the contrary, colonel," I observed, laughing, "that seems to me a reason why you should say something." He exchanged a few words with the captain and sergeant. "What was it you were asking from these gentlemen when I came out?" "Your neutrality, colonel. I do not presume to use intimidation or to urge you against your conscience. If your opinions incline you towards the movement afoot, hold out your hand to me frankly and give me your word not to oppose my mission; if, on the contrary, you wish to oppose it, make up your minds at once and do what you like to get rid of me, for I mean to do all I can to rid myself of you." "Monsieur," said the colonel, when he had again held converse with his two comrades, "we are old soldiers, and have faced fire too often to be afraid; we accept the part you offer us, for, unfortunately, or rather, perhaps, fortunately, what you say with regard to our patriotism is true, and if you laid your hand on our hearts, you would feel the effect the sight of the tricolour flag we have been longing for for the past fifteen years has produced upon us.... What, monsieur, is the agreement we are to enter into with you?" "To go inside your house, and not to come out of it unless you learn that I have been killed or until I shall myself come and release you from your promise." "I promise on my honour as a soldier for both myself and my comrades!" I walked up to him and held out my hand. Three hands were held out instead of one; three hands pressed mine with cordiality. "Come, this is not all," said the colonel. "When one undertakes a task like yours, it should succeed." "Will you assist me, then, with your advice?" He smiled. "Where are you going now?" "To the commander of the fort, M. de Linières." "Do you know him?" "Not in the least." "Hum!" "Well?" "Be on your guard!" "Still, if I have the order?" "Well?" "Then I may count on you?" "Oh! naturally.... Neutrality has ceased, and we have become your allies." At that moment three knocks with an equal interval of time between each were given on the door. "What is that?" asked the colonel. "One of my friends, colonel, who has come to render me assistance if I should need it." I called out loud-- "Wait a minute, Bard; I will come and open it. I am among friends." Then, turning towards the soldiers, I said to them-- "Now, gentlemen, will you go into your house?" "Certainly," they said. "I may rely on your word?"