llo must go himself. That was all there was for it. After which
remained the question as to who should command in the palace during his
absence. Here the Sergeant was obviously the man, both from his natural
talents for leadership, as well as from the confidence placed in him by
General Cabrera. No such temptation would be presented to him within the
walls as might confront him outside, in a position of authority among
his blood-kin, and with a Queen of Spain in his power.

Whilst he was settling these questions in his mind, Rollo had been
standing at one of the windows, where the two royal servants, young men
of Castile, had been set to watch, with La Giralda between to perform
the same office upon them. To these he did not think it necessary to say
more than that they were to receive and obey the orders of Sergeant
Cardono as his own. The old gipsy would of a certainty do so in any
case.

Then the young man passed on to the balconies occupied severally by
Etienne and Mortimer. These two volunteers he took occasion to commend
for their constancy in holding fast their positions during the attack on
the other side of the house. He also briefly communicated to them all
that had taken place there, the attempt of the royal family to slip off
in the darkness, the death of the old nurse, the capture of the daughter
of Munoz, and the fatal loss of the young Queen.

He further told them that he considered it his duty to venture out to
seek for the missing girl. It came within the terms of his commission,
he said, that he should leave no stone unturned to recover the Princess.
Neither Etienne nor Mortimer offered any objection.

"The saints and the Holy Virgin bring you safely back," said Etienne,
who was still in his pious mood; "I will not cease to pray for you."

"Good-bye, and good-luck, old fellow!" quoth John Mortimer. "But I say,
if I should want more ammunition, where am I to get it?"

Such were the characteristic farewells of Rollo's two comrades in arms.

Equally simple was it to satisfy El Sarria, from whom our Firebrand
parted on the great southward balcony which the outlaw guarded alone.

"Be of an easy mind. I will be responsible for all I can see from this
balcony!" said the giant, calmly, "may your adventure be prosperous! I
would I could both remain here and come with you!"

All that Rollo had now to do was to inform the Sergeant of his plans and
to say good-bye to Concha. These tasks, however, promised