As we emerged, the crowd in our wake broke the line, and tried to pursue us; either hostilely or through eagerness to see what it meant.

But a dozen blows of the long pikes drove them back, howling and cursing to their places.
I expected to be taken to Bezers; and what would follow I could not tell.

But he did always it seemed what we least expected, for he only scowled at us now, a grim mockery on his lip, and cried, "See that they do not escape again! But do them no harm, sirrah, until I have the batch of them!" He turned one way, and I another, my heart swelling with rage.

Would he dare to harm us?
Would even the Vidame dare to murder a Caylus' nephew openly and in cold blood?
I did not think so.

And yet--and yet-- Croisette interrupted the train of my thoughts.