"You think that, Messire? You are mistaken. The castle is victualled for three months. There is a well in it that never runs dry. There is a garrison under the Sieur François de Bonaldi, brother of the Bishop. If you took the town with my help, it would be cracking the nut and not getting the kernel. From the castle they could rain down rocks on you, and if you attempted to hold the town they would dislodge you, though it might ruin the houses. No--the town without the castle is an eyeball without the iris. Take the castle and the town is yours." "You may be right," said Le Gros Guillem, after a pause. "I am positive I am right," said the old man, looking up and dropping his eyes again. "What, then, do you propose?" "On a night--let us say to-morrow before midnight, I will admit you and five men----" "Why not more?" "Harken, Messire, I have thought the plan out." "Go on!--I am impatient to hear." "It is you, Messire le Gros, who have interrupted me." "Go on with your plan! If I do not approve, I will none of it. I am not going to run into a trap." "A trap! Oh, Messire, how can you think of that?" "Tell me your plan at once." "It is this, Messire. I will let you in through the postern gate on the upper--the Vitrac--Sarlat Road, you and five men--no more. As many as you will need can be admitted later; they shall remain without till the castle is in your hands, and then two of your men who will tarry by the gate will unbar to them and let them all enter. But consider, Messire, it will not do to allow access to more than five at the outset--there are sentinels on the walls. I have no understanding with them, and they might see and give the alarm. If the alarm were given before you had obtained possession of the castle, then the whole expedition would be in vain. If you hold the castle you have the heart of La Roque Gageac in your hands." "And you will admit us into the fortress?" "I will admit you and three men." "It is not enough." "It suffices. There are but six men in the castle--and no guard is kept at night, for none is needed, as you will see when you get there. That on the town walls suffices; one of these men is in agreement with me. Him you must pay, but not me. I shall be well indemnified if I get my revenge." "So then--you will first open the gate to me and five men. Then, two are to be left in charge of the gate, I and three others are next to be given admittance to the castle, where we are to overpower the garrison. You say there are but six men. That is very few."