On his return with the ropes, Philip told the men-at-arms to cut them into lengths of eight feet, and to make a running noose at one end of each.

When this was done, they again mounted and moved on.
"When we enter the houses," he said to the two other lackeys, "you will remain without with Pierre, and will take charge of the first four prisoners we bring out.

Put the nooses round their necks, and draw them tight enough to let the men feel that they are there.
Fasten the other ends to your saddles, and warn them, if they put up their hands to throw off the nooses, you will spur your horses into a gallop.

That threat will keep them quiet enough." In a quarter of an hour they arrived at the gate of a large and handsome villa.

Philip ordered his men to dismount, and fasten up their horses.
"You will remain here, in charge of the horses," he said to the lackeys; and then, with the men-at-arms, he went up to the house.
Two of them were posted at the back entrance, two at the front, with orders to let no one issue out.