A faint cry of alarm escaped from the señora. She seemed to be on the verge of collapse. Doctor Bonsal’s face had turned very pale, and the Camera Chap saw that he was shaking as though suddenly seized with a chill. His lips moved as though he were about to speak, but no words came from them. Hawley, the only cool member of the group, was the first to break the silence. “Pardon me for suggesting it, doctor,” he said, as a sound of a violent pounding came to his ears, “but wouldn’t it be a good idea to find out what those fellows want? From the way they are going at it, if you don’t answer them pretty soon, they’ll have the door in splinters.” The physician made a heroic attempt to pull himself together. “I think I know what they want, without asking them,” he said, with a grim smile. “But you are right; nothing is to be gained by keeping them waiting. I will go and attend to them.” He made a step toward the door, but the señora intercepted him. “Not you!” she protested frantically. “You must not go to them. It is for you that they have come. You must find some way of escaping from the house.” The old man shrugged his shoulders. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible, my dear friend,” he replied, now quite calm. “Did you not say, Pedro, that the house was surrounded by soldiers?” “Yes, master,” the panic-stricken servant replied. “The garden is full of them. There are more than twenty of them, and they have every means of escape covered.” Doctor Bonsal turned with a sad smile to Señora Felix: “You see! To attempt flight would be useless. Besides, even if it were possible for me to get away, it would be most unwise. It is necessary that I go to those men at the door before they come in here. It is our only chance of preventing them from discovering the presence here of you and Mr. Hawley--and that, of course, must be prevented.” “But I cannot let you go,” the señora cried, still clinging to him. “It means your doom. That tyrant will show you no mercy. You----” “Hush, my child,” he said gently. “After all, I am an old man, and my days upon this earth are numbered. It does not matter much what becomes of me--we must think only of the cause that is so dear to us. If only we can get those men to depart without learning that you are here, I shall be satisfied.” He gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and turned to the Camera Chap. “Whatever happens, Mr. Hawley, I am going to ask you to remain in this room with Señora Felix, and not attempt to leave the house until you have made sure that the soldiers have gone. I would try to conceal you both, but there is no time for that. Besides, it would be useless; if they insist upon searching the house they would find you anyway, and----” A crash and a shout of triumph interrupted him. “They’ve broken down the door. I must go at once,” he whispered, and hurried out into the hall.