About noon
The next morning Gerard was eager to start , but Denys was under a vow to see the murderers of the golden-haired girl executed . Gerard respected his vow , but avoided his example . He went to bid the cure farewell instead , and sought and received his blessing . About noon the travellers got clear of the town . Just outside the south gate they passed the gallows ; it had eight tenants : the skeleton of Manon 's late wept , and now being fast forgotten , lover , and the bodies of those who had so nearly taken our travellers ' lives . A hand was nailed to the beam . And hard by on a huge wheel was clawed the dead landlord , with every bone in his body broken to pieces .