"She was not," said Jennings, "she was hidden in the field of corn." "Ah. I thought so. Well, Maraquito fancied that if she was arrested with the knife before she could leave the neighborhood she would be charged with the murder." "But would Maraquito have let her suffer?" asked Jennings, horrified. "Of course she would," said Hale weakly, "she hated Miss Saxon because she was engaged to Mallow, the fool. To get her caught, Maraquito jumped up into the sitting-room and rang the bell." "At eleven o'clock?" "Yes, I believe--I believe--" Hale's voice was getting weaker and weaker. "She did ring--bell--then closed floor. Servant came--I--I--" he stopped and his head fell back. Suddenly he half rose and looked wildly into blank space. "Maraquito," he cried strongly, "the game's at an end. Fly, my love, fly. We have fought and--and--lost. Maraquito, oh my--" his voice died away. He stretched out his hand, fell back and died with a look of tender love on his pallid face. "Poor wretch!" said Slane pityingly, "at least he loved truly." CHAPTER XXIV REVENGE The capture of the coiners caused an immense sensation, and the papers were filled with descriptions of the raid. Jennings came in for much congratulation, and his feat considerably improved his position with the authorities. He was confined to his bed for some days by his wound and, meanwhile, events transpired in which he would have been considerably interested had he heard of them. They had to do with Maraquito.