is charge that
I am about to confide you. Now for the last time I say choose. Will
you reveal the hiding place of the treasure and go free, or will you be
handed over to the care of Don Sarceda till such time as he shall find
means to make you speak?'

Now a great faintness seized me, for I knew that I was condemned to be
tortured, and that de Garcia was to be the torturer. What mercy had I to
expect from his cruel heart when I, his deadliest foe, lay in his power
to wreak his vengeance on? But still my will and my honour prevailed
against my terrors, and I answered:

'I have told you, general, that I know nothing of this treasure. Do your
worst, and may God forgive you for your cruelty.'

'Dare not to speak that holy Name, apostate and worshipper of idols,
eater of human flesh. Let Sarceda be summoned.'

A messenger went out, and for a while there was silence. I caught
Marina's glance and saw pity in her gentle eyes. But she could not help
me here, for Cortes was mad because no gold had been found, and the
clamour of the soldiers for reward had worn him out and brought him to
this shameful remedy, he who was not cruel by nature. Still she strove
to plead for me with him, whispering earnestly in his ear. For a while
Cortes listened, then he pushed her from him roughly.

'Peace, Marina,' he said. 'What, shall I spare this English dog some
pangs, when my command, and perchance my very life, hangs upon the
finding of the gold? Nay, he knows well where it lies hid; you said it
yourself when I would have hung him for a traitor, and certainly he was
one of those whom the spy saw go out with it upon the lake. Our friend
was with them also, but he came back no more; doubtless they murdered
him. What is this man to you that you should plead for him? Cease to
trouble me, Marina, am I not troubled enough already?' and Cortes put
his hands to his face and remained lost in thought. As for Marina, she
looked at me sadly and sighed as though to say, 'I have done my best,'
and I thanked her with my eyes.

Presently there was a sound of footsteps and I looked up to see de
Garcia standing before me. Time and hardship had touched him lightly,
and the lines of silver in his curling hair and peaked beard did but add
dignity to his noble presence. Indeed, when I looked at him in his dark
Spanish beauty, his rich garments decked with chains of gold, as he
bowed before Cortes hat in hand, I was fain to confess that I had never
seen a mo