dies?"

"Senor Captain," said Brooke, calmly, "I am quite unable to give you
any information about the ladies. I don't see what I can do."

"Lead us to the place," said Lopez.

Brooke shook his head.

"I can't say any more," said he.

"Very well," said Lopez, quietly. "Then you must die."

"You can certainly kill me, Senor Captain, but what good will that
do?"

"Oh, no particular good," said Lopez, "but the law is that spies
shall be shot at once, and I merely gave you a chance. You're a bold
fellow, and I should like to spare you--that's all."

"Thanks, Senor Captain. And may I make one request?"

"Name it, senor."

"This young priest is free, is he not?"

"Certainly."

"You will suffer him to go without molestation."

"Certainly."

"He is young, and a stranger in the country. He doesn't know a word
of the language, and is in despair about--about me. Would it be
possible for him to procure a guide for part of the way, at least to
Vittoria, or some nearer railway station?"

"I will furnish him with one," said Lopez, "all the way."

"Thank you, senor," said Brooke.

"Senor," said Lopez, "it pains me deeply to see you rush on to
destruction."

"Senor Captain," said Brooke, "you are a man of honor and generosity.
I wish I could do what you ask."

Lopez shrugged his shoulders. Then he sighed. Then he took a final
look at Brooke.

After this he motioned to two of his men. These two came forward and
led Brooke to a place opposite the file of armed men. One of the men
offered to bind his eyes, but Brooke motioned him away.

"I don't want it," said he.

As he said this, Talbot came up and stood by his side. Lopez walked
down toward the file of men and stood at a point on one side,
half-way between the condemned and the soldiers.

"Talbot," said Brooke, in a low voice, "go away."

"Brooke," said Talbot, "will you not live?"

"What! in dishonor?"

"Oh, my God!" groaned Talbot. "What shall I do? He will die--and I've
killed him!"

"Talbot," said Brooke, in a husky and unsteady voice, "go away.
You'll make me die two deaths. You are safe. Lopez has promised to
send a guide with you to Vittoria."

"A guide?" said Talbot, in a strange voice.

"Think of me--sometimes," stammered Brooke.

Talbot turned and looked at him. Brooke saw the look and all that was
conveyed in it, and then obstinately shut his eyes.

Lopez now turned to see if the two friends had said their last say.
He saw a singula