care for you; they
care nothing! I asked of them a boon in your name, and they refused
it'? Raymon Sorillo, I appeal to you, give me this man's life for my
father's sake!"

I looked at him earnestly, hoping to find a spark of mercy in his eyes.
Alas, there was none! He was hard as iron, cold as ice; on that day,
at least, there was no pity in him.

"You are foolish," said he; "you are like a child who cries for the
moon. Set this man free and he will immediately begin his old games of
deceit and trickery. He cannot help himself. It is his nature, as it
is a spider's to weave its web. Your father's happiness depends on
this traitor's death."

I heard him patiently, and then renewed my appeal. It was quite
useless.

"Remove the prisoners," said he; and at a sign the troops marched off,
the officers dispersed, and none save we two remained on the platform.
For a long time neither spoke. I was thinking of Rosa anxiously
awaiting my return. I had bidden her hope, and there was no longer any
hope. I made no attempt to deceive myself in this respect. Sorillo
would do much for me, but this one thing he would not do. I dreaded
the thought of returning to Lima. What would Rosa say and do when she
heard of her father's shameful death? Perhaps that part might be
spared her; she need not learn the whole truth. I must invent some
story which would save her the knowledge of his double treachery.

At last I turned to the chief, saying, "Will you allow me to speak with
Don Felipe in private? He has a daughter at home; he may wish to send
her a last message."

"He is not worth your kindness; but do as you please."

I thanked him, and walked toward the hut in which Don Felipe was
confined. The sentry let me pass without protest, and opening the door
I entered.

The sight before me was a pitiful one. The wretched prisoner sat on a
wooden bench in the dreary hovel. His arms were bound, but he was free
to walk about if he so wished. At the click of the latch he raised his
head, but seeing me dropped it again quickly, as if ashamed to meet my
gaze.

"Don Felipe," I began, "have you any message for your daughter?"

Instead of answering my question, he himself asked one.

"Will that brigand really put me to death?" he said.

"I am afraid so. I have begged hard for your life, but in vain."

Looking at me curiously, he exclaimed, "I cannot understand why you
should wish to save me!"

"For Rosa's sake! Whe