"You have an easy master, captain," he said, quietly; "but I would like to see you wear your chains more easily. Humphrey Armstrong, you cannot escape. There is only one way from this place, and that is by the sea, and there is no need to guard that. Look here," he cried, laying his hand upon the prisoner's arm, "you have been planning this for days and days. You have lain out yonder upon that stone by the old palace, calculating how you could creep away; and you found your opportunity to-day, when you said to yourself, `These people are all asleep now, and I will find my way round to where my men are prisoners.'" As he spoke Humphrey changed colour and winced, for the buccaneer seemed to have read his every thought. "And then you came upon this path through the forest, and you felt that this was the way to freedom." "Are you a devil?" cried Humphrey, excitedly. "Perhaps," was the mocking reply. "Perhaps only the great butterfly you watched before you started, as it lazily winged its way among the broken stones." Humphrey uttered an exclamation, and gazed wildly in the dark, mocking eyes. "Never mind what I am, captain, but pray understand this--you cannot escape from here. When you think you are most alone, there are eyes upon you which see your every act, and your movements are all known." "I will not believe it," cried Humphrey, angrily. "Then disbelieve it; but it is true. I tell you there is no escape, man. You may get away a few miles perhaps, but every step you take bristles with the threatenings of death. So be warned, and bear your fate patiently. Wait! Grow strong once more." "And then!" cried Humphrey, excitedly. "What then?" "Ah, yes," said the buccaneer, who assumed not to have heard his words, "you are still weak. That flush in your face is the flush of fever, and you are low and excited." "Dog! You are mocking me!" cried Humphrey, furiously, for he felt the truth of every word that had been said, and his impotence maddened him. "Dog!" cried the buccaneer as furiously. "Yes; wretched cut-throat--murderer," cried Humphrey--"miserable wretch, whom I could strangle where you stand!" The buccaneer turned of a sallow pallor, his brow knit, his eyes flashed, and his chest heaved, as he stood glaring at Humphrey; but the sudden storm of passion passed away, and with a smile of pity he said softly-- "You call names like a petulant boy. Come, I am not angry with you, let us go back to your room. The heat of this place is too much for you, and to-morrow you will be down with fever." "Humph!" ejaculated Humphrey, angrily. "It is true," said the buccaneer. "Come." "There's something behind all this," cried the young man, excitedly. "We are alone here. I am the stronger; and, in spite of your boasting, there is no one here to help. You shall speak out, and tell me what this means." His gesture was threatening now; but the buccaneer did not stir.