r
Viceroy upon a fleet of English ships in this harbour, last year; and,
incidentally, to call you, sir, to account for your treatment of certain
of the prisoners taken upon that occasion, who were delivered into your
hands. I have here--"

"But--but--" interrupted the Father Superior--for such was the
individual upon whose privacy George had so unceremoniously intruded--"I
do not understand. Why have you been permitted to come here? Where are
our soldiers, and what are they doing--?"

"Have I not already explained that the town is at my mercy?" interrupted
George in his turn. "What further enlightenment do you need? As to
your soldiers, they dare not interfere with me, for my ship's guns
command the town, and my crew have orders to destroy the place if any
attempt is made to resist me. Now, I have a list here"--drawing it from
his pocket--"containing the names of sixteen men who, I am told, were
claimed by this Inquisition; and my business with you is to demand an
account of them. Where are they, and what have you done to them?"

"How, in the name of all the saints, can I possibly answer your
question, senor, unless you furnish me with the names of the men you
refer to?" demanded the priest, with a valiant attempt to brazen the
matter out, but there was a quaver in his voice which betrayed that he
was beginning to feel anxious, if not actually apprehensive, concerning
the outcome of this astounding business.

"There is the list, senor," answered George, laying the document on the
table. "Take it, I pray you, and let me have an instant reply to my
demand."

The Father Superior took the list and ran his eye over it, ponderingly.
Then he laid it down again and said:

"Senor Englishman, I cannot possibly answer your question offhand, for I
do not tax my memory to recollect exactly how every person who enters
the walls of this building has been dealt with. But if you will suffer
me to ring for my secretary I have no doubt that, with his assistance, I
can furnish you with the information you require."

"By all means," assented George; and the Father Superior thereupon
turned to the wall and jerked a bell rope. A slight interval followed,
and then a very frightened priest entered.

"Holy Father," he began, "the building is in the possession of armed
men--" and then, catching sight for the first time of George and the two
soldiers, who were standing somewhat in the shadow, he stopped short, at
the same time