"We cannot administer this ourselves," grumbled Captain Nocolo. "We must find somebody to do it for us." "I know of a person--Luigi, the jailer. I once caught him taking bribes, and he is in my power. He would sell his soul for a hundred piasters." "Yes, and Luigi has a grudge against this American for the way he was treated when Sherwood escaped," cried the captain. "It ought to be easy. Get us the accursed powder, Barker." The lawyer quitted the apartment, and soon returned with a vial filled with a whitish powder. Lieutenant Mazenas took it and placed it in his vest pocket. The two officers remained at the lawyer's temporary residence a quarter of an hour longer, and then, when night was falling, returned to the city, to take charge of their various commands, for the insurgents were advancing closer every hour, and it was known that, sooner or later, a battle in the very streets of Marambo must be expected. There was plenty of work for them to do, and for the time being both had to delay their vile plot against Howard's life. The lieutenant was called away to the vicinity of the railroad, and spent two hours about the depot and the freight houses. The roads were dark and muddy, and in order to save his fine military uniform he donned an old suit, and did work that, when he had joined the army, he had never thought to undertake. "But never mind," he thought. "Once this Sherwood is out of the way, and the fair Estella is my wife, I'll let the army take care of itself, and seek protracted pleasure in Spain and lively Paris. I certainly need a little recreation, and it will give Estella a chance to become reconciled to her marriage with me." It was well past midnight when the lieutenant returned to the vicinity of the prison. He knew Luigi would be off duty at one o'clock. He waited until the jailer appeared, and then had the man walk away to an adjacent wine shop with him. "I have a task for you to perform, Luigi," he said, and immediately began to sound the jailer. He found Luigi willing enough to undertake the dastardly work he had planned. Everything was arranged, and the vial with the whitish powder was handed over. "By noon to-morrow Howard Sherwood will be a dead man!" whispered the jailer as they separated. "There will be no failure, I give you my word." Lieutenant Mazenas returned to his quarters with an anxious heart. He told Captain Nocolo of what had been done and both waited impatiently for the morrow to come. In the meanwhile, after an hour of liberty, Luigi returned to the prison and went directly to the place where the water jugs were kept. Procuring a fresh jug of water, he emptied the contents of the vial into the water, and stirred it up well. Then he lighted a lantern and went below. Howard had fallen into a doze on a rude bench placed directly beneath the iron ring to which he was fastened. He sat up and rubbed his eyes when Luigi appeared.