Part 20 (1/2)

The echo to this sentiment came in a shout from all the followers of Lopez,

”Down with all Americans and priests!”

With this cry a hundred fierce faces surrounded them, and glared at them with fiery eyes. It seemed as though their last hour had come.

The crowd pressed closer, and clamored for their immediate destruction. The only thing that held them back was the att.i.tude of Brooke, who stood perfectly cool and tranquil, with his eyes fixed on Lopez, a good-natured smile on his face, and his hands carelessly in his pockets. Close beside him stood Talbot, pale, it is true, but with a calm exterior that showed not one trace of fear. Brooke did not see her, and did not venture to look at her, but he felt that she was as firm as a rock. Had they faltered in the slightest degree, the storm must have burst; but as it was, the calmness of these two disarmed the fury of the mob, and their fierce pa.s.sion died away.

”Captain Lopez,” said Brooke, in a quiet and friendly tone, ”you may have reason to hate my country, but I a.s.sure you that you have absolutely no cause for complaint against me and my friend. We are simple travellers who have been interrupted on our journey, and are now trying to get to the nearest railway station so as to resume it as soon as possible.”

”How did you get here?” asked Lopez, after a pause, in which he again scrutinized severely the two prisoners.

Brooke had antic.i.p.ated this question, and had made up his mind as to his answer. It was his intention to identify himself with Talbot, and speak as though he had all along been travelling with ”the young priest.”

”Our train stopped,” said he, ”and we took the diligence over this road yesterday. We were stopped again, captured and robbed by Carlists, and we have escaped from them, and are now trying to get back.”

”Was your train stopped by Carlists?”

”No; the diligence.”

”Where did the Carlists go?”

”I have no idea.”

”Where did you come from last?”

”Barcelona.”

”Where are you going now?”

”To England,” said Brooke; ”and finally.” he added, ”allow me to show you this, which I am sure will establish my character in your eyes.”

With these words he drew forth a paper and handed it to Lopez. The latter took it, and one of the men lighted a bit of wood which served as a torch, after which Lopez read the following:

”_Head-quarters, Vittoria, May 10th. 1873.

”This is to certify that the bearer of this is an American citizen named Raleigh Brooke, and is correspondent of a New York journal. He has permission to traverse our lines in pursuit of his business.

CONCHA_.”

Lopez read it over a second time.

”A newspaper correspondent!” said he. ”H'm! That means a spy.” He handed it back again to Brooke, who replaced it in his pocket. ”I'll think it over,” continued Lopez. ”I'll examine you both to-morrow and inspect your papers. I'm too tired now. You may both go inside again where you were hiding before. We won't burn you up.”

At these last words the whole gang burst into a jeering laugh that foreboded something so horrible that the stout heart of Brooke quailed within him, as, followed by Talbot, he once more entered the old mill.

CHAPTER XIV.

HOW THE ANXIOUS RUSSELL SEEKS TO CONCEAL A TREASURE.

The Russell party, on reaching the castle, were all conducted inside, where they found themselves in an arched hall which has already been described. Traversing this, they ascended the ma.s.sive stairway at the end, and came to another large hall immediately above the lower one.