d so admirably was
the swoop made, that five persons were seized, bound and held powerless
and incapable of resistance ere the echo of the cry of alarm which they
raised had died away in the maze of the grove. And simultaneously with
the performance of this skillful maneuver, a shrill whistle was wafted
from the lips of Demetrius through the wood, and as if by magic, a dozen
torches were seen to light up and numbers of men, with naked scimiters
gleaming in the rays of those firebrands, rushed toward the spot where
the capture had been made. The effect of that sudden illumination--those
flashing weapons--and that convergence of many warriors all toward the
same point, was striking in the extreme, and as the glare of the torches
shone on the countenances of the four men in the midst of whom was
Francisco (the whole five, however, being held bound and powerless by
the Ottoman soldiers), it was evident that the entire proceeding had
inspired the guilty wretches with the most painful alarm. Demetrius
instantly knew that the handsome and noble-looking young man in the
midst of the group of captives and captors, must be Don Francisco of
Riverola, and he also saw at a glance that one of the ruffians with him
was Antonio. But he merely had leisure at the moment to address a word
of reassurance and friendship to Nisida's brother--for, lo! the secret
of the entrance to the robbers' stronghold was revealed--discovered!
Yes--there, at the foot of the tree, and now rendered completely visible
by the glare of the torch-light, was a small square aperture, from which
the trap door had been raised to afford egress to the captured party.

"Secure that entrance!" cried Demetrius, hastily; "and hasten down those
steps, some dozen of you, so as to guard it well!"--then, the instant
this command was obeyed he turned toward Francisco, saying, "Lord of
Riverola--am I right in thus addressing you?"

"Such is my name," answered Francisco; "and if you, brave chief, will
but release me and lend me a sword, I will prove to thee that I have no
particular affection for these miscreants."

Demetrius gave the necessary order--and in another moment the young
Count of Riverola was not only free, but with a weapon in his hand. The
Greek then made a rapid, but significant--fatally significant sign to
his men; and--quick as thought,--the three robbers and their confederate
Antonio were strangled by the bowstrings which the Ottomans whipped
around their nec