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"The death of Ymeniz is proof enough. That is no joke." "True!" "Moreover, I for one feel sure that this Englishman Harkaway speaks truly." "How?" "In saying that he gave the ransom." "In full?" "In full." "Why, where, then, do you think it is?" demanded Hunston, with an assumption of boldness, yet trembling as he waited the reply. Boulgaris answered with a single word "Stolen."
"And the two boys shall die with him?" asked Boulgaris. "They shall, at daybreak." This was put to the assembled throng, and agreed to by all, when suddenly a single dissentient voice was heard. "They shall not die." The brigands looked up, and a boy appeared upon the scene, the boy who had lured the luckless lads to their present unlucky pitch. "Theodora."
Shall we admit this man in as a brother and a comrade?" "We will," shouted the brigands. "Agreed on all hands?" said the Italian chief. "Agreed." It was answered as if with a single voice. "Good," said Toro; "do you, Boulgaris, prescribe the oath." The oath, which was administered in Greek, was not at all understood by the novice, but he subscribed to it cheerfully.
"He is an awkward customer, and that's the fact of it; and I have heard, my brave Boulgaris, that if Harkaway once says he will have revenge, he never fails. Now, let's return." Back they went together, and as they neared the brigands' camp, they perceived signs of some great commotion, "What is the matter now?" asked Boulgaris. "Come with us," replied the first man, "and I will show you."
He was one of a band that Harkaway and his friend Harvey exterminated." "It is true, then, about that band?" said Boulgaris, his eyes flashing eagerly. "Of course." "You see, then, from that, what cause we have to dread arousing the enmity of such a man as this Harkaway."
"Poor Ymeniz! he has been stabbed in the back." "No; here is the death wound below the heart." "Then he has not been taken by surprise." "Evidently." The two men made their way with all despatch to their camp, carrying the paper with them. The sensation it caused is indescribable when Boulgaris read it aloud to the assembled brigands.
An animated discussion ensued on this, and finally it was agreed that the hapless boys should die next morning with the traitor Lirico. Hunston did not close his eyes throughout the night. The words of Boulgaris rang in his ear like a knell. Lirico was to die for concealing a part of the spoil which he had made.
"Yes, poor boys," said Boulgaris. "Poor boys," echoed Martin in surprise, "poor boys." "Yes, I see no reason for butchering two children, for they were little more." The new brigand eyed the speaker rather curiously. "Have you any pity to spare for Harkaway's boy?" "And why not?" said Boulgaris.
It was an unpleasant topic to tackle the English ruffian upon, after all that had just taken place. "Why so silent, comrade?" said an old brigand named Boulgaris, staring Hunston full in the face; "do you not approve?" "Of what?" "Of the law." "I of course." "Of course you do," said Boulgaris boldly; "why, you would be the first to approve.
This singular individual, Geoffrey Martin, appeared greatly interested in the fate of the unfortunate boys, young Jack and Harry Girdwood, and he got Boulgaris to take him to the spot where the crosses had been erected over the graves by the pious hand of Theodora, the girl who had unwittingly lured them to the fatal trap. "So here you have buried them?" said Geoffrey Martin.
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