"The thing is simple enough. You will leave here and go to Lanslebourg, thence to Briancon. Arrived there, you will remain at the Couronne d'Or, and wear this peace of edelweiss in your coat. On the day after to-morrow, a lady will call upon you and ask for the packet, as promised. She will give her name as Madame Trois Etoiles, and will give you a receipt for the packet. This you will send to Giovanni Oldrini at the Poste Restante at Bardonnechia. There the matter will end." "If she does not call?" "Then you must advertise to find her, announcing that you particularly desire an interview. Of course your undertaking will be binding, and you will preserve the secret of the existence of this place under penalty of death. Do you agree?" I glanced round the weird cavern. The last straw of my self-possession was broken, and I was prepared to promise anything in order to escape. "Agree, signore," urged Giovanni anxiously. "There will be no risk, no inconvenience, I assure you." "Very well," I said at last; "if you stipulate this as the price of my ransom, I suppose I am compelled to submit." "You will swear to preserve our secret; to tell no living soul where you obtained the packet, and to deliver it without fail and with the seals intact?" the elder man asked, handing me a carved ivory crucifix. "Yes, I swear," I said, taking it and pressing it to my lips. "Good!" he exclaimed; "here is the packet. Deliver it safely, for its contents, if lost, could never be replaced. Join us in another glass, and then proceed. Oldrini will go with you to the outskirts of Lanslebourg." I emptied another glass of brandy with the smugglers, and a few minutes later saw the sunlight and breathed the fresh mountain air again. When we were well on our downward path, I felt inclined to reprimand my guide for having taken me to the cavern; but on reflection it became plain that he was in league with the contrabandists, and that he carried on smuggling and thieving in the guise of guide. Onward we trudged down the steep, slippery rocks, scarcely uttering a word for an hour, when suddenly from a sentry-box there appeared a French soldier with rifle presented. He inquired our names, and why we wished to enter France. A civil reply propitiated him, and he drew himself up at "Attention!" and allowed us to proceed. We were compelled by the steepness of the mountain to take a circuitous route, so that the descent occupied longer than we had anticipated, and when, soon after sunset, we emerged upon the high road to Lanslebourg, he halted to take leave of me. "Pardon, signore," exclaimed my guide. "I only took you to the cavern because it is imperative that the packet should be delivered. I ask your forgiveness;" and he raised his cap deferentially. "For what reason is it imperative?" I inquired. "I regret I cannot tell you," he replied. "_Addio_, signore. Remember your trust, and keep your promise, or--"