"The life of one German soldier seems to us much more important than that of all these old English nurses." [Sidenote: Lancken's return.] At last Lancken returned and, standing there, announced: "I am exceedingly sorry, but the Governor tells me that only after due reflection was the execution decided upon, and that he will not change his decision. Under his prerogative he even refuses to receive the plea for mercy. Therefore, no one, not even the Emperor, can do anything for you." [Sidenote: The plea for mercy handed back.] With this he handed my letter and the _requete en grace_ back to Gibson. There was a moment of silence in the yellow salon. Then Villalobar sprang up and seizing Lancken by the shoulder said to him in an energetic tone: "Baron, I wish to speak to you." "It is useless," began Lancken. [Sidenote: The Marquis Villalobar pleads.] But the old Spanish pride had been mounting in the Marquis, and he literally dragged the tall von der Lancken into a little room near by, and then voices were heard in sharp discussion, and even through the partition the voice of Villalobar: "It is idiotic, this thing you are going to do; you will have another Louvain." A few moments later they came back, Villalobar in silent rage, Lancken very red. And, as de Leval said, without another word, dumb, in consternation, filled with an immense despair, they came away. [Sidenote: The messengers withdraw.] I heard the report, and they withdrew. A little while and I heard the street door open. The women who had waited all that night went out into the rain. The rain had ceased and the air was soft and warm the next morning; the sunlight shone through an autumn haze. But over the city the horror of the dreadful deed hung like a pall. [Sidenote: Other prisoners condemned.] Twenty-six others were condemned with Miss Cavell, four of whom were sentenced to death: Philippe Baucq, an architect of Brussels; Louise Thuiliez, a school-teacher at Lille; Louis Severin, a pharmacist of Brussels; and the Countess Jeanne de Belleville of Montignies-sur-Roc. [Sidenote: Severe sentences.] Harman Capian, a civil engineer of Wasmes; Mrs. Ada Bodart of Brussels; Albert Libiez, a lawyer of Wasmes; and Georges Derveau, a pharmacist of Paturages, were sentenced each to fifteen years' penal servitude at hard labor. The Princess Maria de Croy was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude at hard labor. Seventeen others were sentenced to hard labor or to terms of imprisonment of from two to five years. The eight remaining were acquitted. [Sidenote: The people horrified at Miss Cavell's execution.]