"I do not understand." Le Gros Guillem slipped his feet from the pallet to the floor. He could not walk, he could not even stand, as his feet were swathed in rags. "It is not difficult to enlighten your understanding," said Jean. "You sent away your daughter with two men as her guard. They are all in my power. They are at Le Peuch. Their fate--that is to say, _hers_--depends on you." "So--you war against girls!" "If we do violence to the young and feeble, from whom have we learned the lesson but from you and your ruffians?" "You know what I have done to your father," said the freebooter, malignantly. "I will do the same to you." "And the same fate will befall your daughter--at once," said Jean, decidedly. The Captain was staggered. He was uneasy. He said sullenly: "For what purpose have you come here?" "For this," answered Jean. "With your own hand you have let me know where my father is. Unless he be released, and allowed to return with me to Le Peuch, your daughter will perish miserably." Jean went to the window. The Captain looked suspiciously after him. "The sun is setting," said the young man. "In an hour it will be gone. Unless before he reappears in the East, unless, to the moment of his rising, my father and I are not returned to Le Peuch safe and sound, it will be too late. Your daughter saw what was done to the old man--what think you of a like fate for her?" "I do not believe she is in your hands. She is at La Roque." "Send to La Roque, if you will, and inquire--only remember that will take time, and time is precious. We must be back at Le Peuch before the first spark of the sun reappears, or the deed will be done. Your daughter will be dead." Le Gros Guillem's face became ashy grey with alarm and rage, commingled with embarrassment. "Besides," said Jean with composure, "look at the ring. You know that it is taken from her finger." 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?" "My word, my honour, and that of my father. Send men with me if you will. Only remember now that time is winged and is flying."