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'I warrant our lives are as good as theirs,' replied his co us: better they should die than we be

hanged' 'Better, better,' cried his co the gallows!' said the

first ruffian--'many an honest fellow has run his head into the noose

that way, though' There was a pause of so

'Confound those fellows,' exclaimed one of the robbers impatiently,

'they ought to have been here by this time; they will come back

presently with the old story, and no booty: if they were here, our

business would be plain and easy I see we shall not be able to do the

business to-night, for our nu they will be foroff, and how can we detain the of a scheme, that will do,' said one of his

comrades: 'if we can dispatch the two chevaliers silently, it will be

easy to ood faith,' said another with a sh the prison wall, I shall be at

liberty!--How can we dispatch them SILENTLY?'

'By poison,' replied his companions