noon
`` Peridol , '' M. de Biron said -- he had risen to his feet -- `` I have received a message which needs confirmation ; and to obtain this I must leave the Arsenal . I am going to the house -- you will remember this -- of Marshal Tavannes , who will be responsible for my person ; in the mean time this gentleman will remain under strict guard in the south chamber upstairs . You will treat him as a hostage , with all respect , and will allow him to preserve his _ incognito _ . But if I do not return by noon to-morrow , you will deliver him to the men below , who will know how to deal with him . '' Count Hannibal made no attempt to interrupt him , nor did he betray the discomfiture which he undoubtedly felt . But as the Grand Master paused -- `` M. de Biron , '' he said , in a voice harsh and low , `` you will answer to me for this ! '' And his eyes glittered through the slits in the mask .