midday
I know the value of oaths sworn to Huguenots ; but in this case , I think they will be kept , for I swear to you -- and I am in the habit of keeping my oaths -- that if you break your undertaking , I will not break mine . '' As soon as it was daylight , Pierre produced from his saddlebag an ink horn , paper , and pens ; and the ten prisoners signed their name to an order for the release of the four captives . They then wrote another document , to be handed by their representative to the governor , begging him to see that the order was executed , informing him of the position they were in , and that their lives would certainly be forfeited , unless the prisoners were released without delay . They also earnestly begged him to send out orders , to the armed forces who were searching for the Huguenots , bidding them make no movement , whatever , until after midday . The councillor was then mounted on a horse and escorted , by two of the men-at-arms , to within a quarter of a mile of the nearest gate of the city . The men were to return with his horse . The councillor was informed that ten o'clock was the limit given for the return of the prisoners ; and that , unless they had by that hour arrived , it would be supposed that the order for their release would not be respected , and in that case the nine hostages would be hung forthwith ; and that , in the course of a night or two , another batch would be carried off .