The bandage was taken off his eyes and, by the faint light of the burning spirit, Pierre, as in a dream, saw several men standing before him, wearing aprons like the Rhetor's and holding swords in their hands pointed at his breast.

Among them stood a man whose white shirt was stained with blood.

On seeing this, Pierre moved forward with his breast toward the swords, meaning them to pierce it.

But the swords were drawn back from him and he was at once blindfolded again.