Page 149 - A Knight of the White Cross

freedom."

The man nodded significantly.

"There may be other means of doing it," he said. "Perhaps it will not be
long before you hear of it. You seem a stout fellow, and full of spirit, but,
as yet, anything that may be going on is known but to a few, and will go no

further until the time comes that all may be told. I think not so badly of men
of our faith as to believe that any one would betray the secret for the sake of

obtaining his own freedom and a big reward; but secrets, when known by
many, are apt to leak out. A muttered word or two in sleep, or the ravings
of one down with fever, might afford ground for suspicion, and torture

would soon do the rest. I myself know nothing of the secret, but I do know
that there is something going on which, if successful, will give us our

freedom. I am content to know no more until the time comes; but there are
few, save those engaged in the matter, that know as much as this, and you
can see that it is better it should be so. Look at that man opposite; he has

been here fifteen years; he seldom speaks; he does his work, but it is as a
brute beast -- despair has well nigh turned him into one. Think you that if

such a man as that were to know that there is hope, he would not be so
changed that even the dullest would observe it? I see you are a brisk young
fellow, and I say to you, keep up your courage. The time is nearer than you

think when you will be free from these accursed shackles."

Each morning, as he went out to work with his gang, Gervaise saw the
servant from the auberge standing near; but he made no sign. He was
satisfied that his suspicions had been justified, and that he was not leading

this life in vain, but he thought it better to wait until the week passed, and
he was taken away to have his colour renewed, than to make a sign that

might possibly rouse the suspicions of his comrades. On the eighth
morning, when the door of the room was unlocked, the overseer said -­
"Number 36, you will remain here. You are wanted for other work."

After the gang had left the prison, the overseer returned.