"Oh, well, we’re going to make the capture now, not you. Now, Cabrera," he said quickly, and they both darted on him, and tied him up hands and feet. "We shall be in Calatayud in a few minutes. Shall we shoot him and pitch him out of the window? Dead men keep silence longest." And Garcia looked so reckless and fierce that I thought he would do it on the spot. "Is that necessary?" I said, hastily, shrinking from the thought of bloodshed. "Gag him and leave him under the seat. We need no entanglements we can avoid." For a moment the man’s fate hung in the balance, and his bloodless face and staring eyes of terror as he glanced from one to another were sickening to look upon. "For God’s sake, don’t kill me," he cried, eagerly. "I won’t say a word of what has passed. I swear on my soul I won’t." "He’ll know us now by sight," muttered Cabrera, who was clearly of Garcia’s mind; and the argument was undoubtedly strong. But I could not see murder done in cold blood, and in a very firm, authoritative voice and manner I said: "I will have no blood needlessly shed. Let it be as I say." And somewhat to my surprise, and greatly to my satisfaction, the two yielded to me. "Mischief may come of a tongue that can wag as his does," growled Cabrera, and his companion gave way with equal reluctance. But I insisted, and the spy’s bonds were tightened, he was gagged securely, and laid for the while on the seat, while we held a whispered council. "There’ll be a strong body of men in waiting for us at Calatayud. What are we to do?" asked Garcia; and in all truth it was an awkward puzzle. It was clear we couldn’t hope to make a fight of it. Any attempt of the kind would be the instant signal for us to be surrounded and probably shot. For the moment I was disposed to let my companions escape, and give myself up to Rubio; but against this course were very strong arguments arising out of the scene with the police spy. At the best of it I should have some difficulty in explaining my presence, while the treatment meted out to him constituted in itself an offence of which I could not clear myself. If Rubio arrested me on such a charge and in such an out-of-the-way place, it would be an easy matter for Quesada to instruct him to put me away where the Embassy might not find me, and inquiries even from the palace might prove abortive. At all hazards I must get away therefore, and the question was—how? I could only think of one means, and I explained it rapidly.