Part 21 (1/2)
He looked at Hal sternly and yet kindly, for in his heart the colonel was an easy-going fellow, and given to mercy if it were possible.
”Come,” he said again, in a persuasive voice; ”I have sons of your age who play pranks at times, though never one so dangerous and foolhardy as this. Declare to me that you came to the town out of curiosity, and to see what preparations we were making for the Americans.”
”Your excellency, we cannot do as you ask,” Hal answered firmly. ”What I have stated is absolutely true, and if only you will favor me by reading the letter which I have in my pocket, you will be a.s.sured of it.”
”Give it to me. One of you take it from his coat,” said the colonel shortly.
The order was obeyed by Jose, and the letter handed to the colonel.
Instantly he tore the envelope open, and scanned the contents.
”Yes, it is as you stated,” he said. ”I am more inclined to believe you.”
”Pshaw! And you will allow two dangerous spies to escape because they are of the same age as your sons!” exclaimed Jose d'Arousta. ”It is madness! It is folly!”
He had been standing close beside the table, following the interview between Hal and the colonel with the greatest attention; and now, seeing that it had turned in favor of the prisoners, he started forward, and interposed in a way which soon brought him a reprimand.
”Senor, you forget yourself, and in whose presence you stand!” the colonel cried angrily, turning upon him. ”Have a care, Senor Capitan, for I am your superior, and should you see fit to address me again in such an unbecoming manner, I will place you under arrest. Perhaps it might meet your deserts,” he added significantly, ”for there are tales told in Santiago of the doings of Jose d'Arousta and his irregulars. I have even heard it said that they are brigands. Have a care, I tell you, for I might even go so far as to look into this strange accusation as to an attack upon Eldorado.”
Jose had met his match. He turned pale at the colonel's words, and retired from the table looking downcast. But his a.s.surance quickly returned.
”Excellency,” he exclaimed, ”your pardon if I was too outspoken; but I wish our country all that is well, and therefore I say again that these two men are known to me. They are spies. Everything points to it, senor.
If not, then why should they attempt to escape, particularly when one of them carries a letter, the contents of which will clear them? Depend upon it, that note was there for a set purpose, and to be used only as a last resource. Think of their revolvers, too. Pah! Were I in your place I should give them till dawn, when they should face a corporal's picket, and meet the fate of all who take to the calling of a spy.”
He ended an impa.s.sioned speech with a glare of hatred at Hal, and then stood closely scrutinizing the colonel's features, to see, if possible, what effect he had made, turning, however, every other moment to look again at Hal, with eyes which even now were beginning to light up with triumph.
As for our hero and his friend, they stood there amongst the soldiers, watching every movement and expression, and wondering vaguely what would be the end of the interview.
”I fear very much that you are right, Senor Jose,” said the colonel at length. ”The evidence is too strong, and shows without a shadow of doubt that the prisoners entered Santiago for one purpose only. It is sad that we should commence the war with an execution; but it cannot be avoided.
We must protect ourselves, for if we were to allow these two lads to leave unpunished, others would be encouraged. For spying, death is the penalty. But I will not take the responsibility upon my own shoulders for an act which in my heart I consider to be harsh and unjust. Men should be treated as men; but to apply the same penalties to irresponsible, impetuous lads is cruel in the extreme. Captain Volaga, you will escort the prisoners to the cells in Morro Castle, and arrange for their refreshment. See also that blankets are given them, for the nights are getting cold. Here is a note to the officer in command.
Deliver it to him personally. I will now cable to Havana and ask for instructions, but I fear that I can give no hope. Spies, whether men or boys, must meet the same fate.”
He rose from his seat, and, with a wave of the hand, signified that the interview was over.
The soldiers at once closed round Hal and Gerald, and, at the officer's order, marched out of the room. Then they halted outside, while Jose d'Arousta and the injured captain conversed in low tones. Evidently some satisfactory arrangement was come to, for they nodded and smiled in the most pleasant manner, and when parting treated each other to an elaborate salute. Then Jose approached the prisoners, and, halting in front of them, addressed them in low tones which could not be overheard.
”Senores, who could have guessed that in such a short s.p.a.ce of time the tables would turn so completely!” he said, with a triumphant smile. ”But yesterday I was a prisoner in your hands, under a threat of death; and now you are in a similar condition, with this one difference: I escaped to avenge the insult, while you will live only till to-morrow's sun is up. Think of it! Dream of it! When the dawn comes, and you are led out into the cold, your end will await you. Consideration will be shown, I promise you, for some minutes shall be granted for quiet reflection. And then, Senor Marchant, if you will but raise your eyes, you will find that the ever-faithful Jose attends you, and will be ready, should you desire it, to carry your adieus to the fair Senora Dora. Believe me, we will weep together for your loss.”
He smiled a cruel, vindictive smile, and looked hard at Hal to see what effect the words had had, but only to be disappointed. Not a muscle of the young fellow's face moved as he returned the stare of the Spaniard with one that was as proud and disdainful as it was possible to be. Then his features relaxed, and he smiled.
”The man is a bold villain,” he said, with a laugh, turning to Gerald.
”When we are surrounded and held by the soldiers, so that he need fear no punishment, he does his utmost to goad us into fury. Come along, old boy; we have better things to do than to listen to such a fellow.”
Taking Gerald by the arm, he signified to the sergeant that he was ready, and the order being given to the soldiers, they marched out of the building, leaving Jose d'Arousta biting his lips with vexation.
A large crowd was waiting outside, hoping to catch sight of the first captives of the war. The news that they were spies, who had entered Santiago in search of information, had been conveyed to them, so that the appearance of the two lads was greeted with a storm of shrill cries.
”Kill them! Shoot them!” the mob shouted, rus.h.i.+ng towards the party of soldiers who surrounded Hal and Gerald. But a line of troops drawn up outside the house interposed, and thrust them back. Then, forming up on either side, the Spaniards marched them off to the fortress which stands perched high up on one side of the long entrance to the harbor, and which goes by the name of the Morro Castle. Half an hour later the gates were reached, and they marched in, leaving the crowd outside. Hal and Gerald were led up a long flight of stone steps, through a dark corridor, and afterwards up more stairs. Finally, they came to a gallery, and were halted in front of an iron-studded door, at the keyhole of which a soldier fumbled.