"Pooh!" said Brooke, whose voice by this time had regained its old careless ring; and he whined on: "Cats don't come at half-past eight Tap-tap-tappiug at the garding gate!" Talbot gave a sigh that sounded like a groan. The sounds below subsided, and all was still once more. So the night passed. Morning came. A man brought up bread and wine; but now there was no thought of eating, even for the sake of saving strength. Neither one spoke, nor did either venture to look at the other. At length they were summoned outside. Lopez was there, with half a dozen men around him. Farther away were the rest of the men, watching the scene. On the right were a dozen men with rifles. Brooke was as cool as usual. Talbot was calm, but deathly pale. "Senor Brooke," said Lopez, "I am a man of but few words, and few need now be said. I have given you a long respite--longer than I said. What is your decision? Will you go with us and show us where the Carlists took the English ladies?" "Senor Captain," said Brooke, calmly, "I am quite unable to give you any information about the ladies. I don't see what I can do." "Lead us to the place," said Lopez. Brooke shook his head. "I can't say any more," said he. "Very well," said Lopez, quietly. "Then you must die." "You can certainly kill me, Senor Captain, but what good will that do?" "Oh, no particular good," said Lopez, "but the law is that spies shall be shot at once, and I merely gave you a chance. You're a bold fellow, and I should like to spare you--that's all." "Thanks, Senor Captain. And may I make one request?" "Name it, senor." "This young priest is free, is he not?" "Certainly." "You will suffer him to go without molestation." "Certainly." "He is young, and a stranger in the country. He doesn't know a word of the language, and is in despair about--about me. Would it be possible for him to procure a guide for part of the way, at least to Vittoria, or some nearer railway station?" "I will furnish him with one," said Lopez, "all the way." "Thank you, senor," said Brooke. "Senor," said Lopez, "it pains me deeply to see you rush on to destruction." "Senor Captain," said Brooke, "you are a man of honor and generosity. I wish I could do what you ask." Lopez shrugged his shoulders. Then he sighed. Then he took a final look at Brooke. After this he motioned to two of his men. These two came forward and led Brooke to a place opposite the file of armed men. One of the men offered to bind his eyes, but Brooke motioned him away. "I don't want it," said he. As he said this, Talbot came up and stood by his side. Lopez walked down toward the file of men and stood at a point on one side, half-way between the condemned and the soldiers. "Talbot," said Brooke, in a low voice, "go away." "Brooke," said Talbot, "will you not live?" "What! in dishonor?" "Oh, my God!" groaned Talbot. "What shall I do? He will die--and I've killed him!"