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Lirico was barely cold in his grave for an offence which, beside that of Hunston's, was a mere paltry pilfering. The secret was in great danger now. What should he do? What would be better than to cast doubt and derision upon Harkaway's dark menaces.
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.
"Because the traitor, Lirico, is to die at daybreak; we can't have two executions so near to each other. Let them all die together." "Lirico," said Hunston, "and why has he to die? I haven't heard in what he has offended." "A hateful thing," was the reply of his informant; "Lirico has offended against the foundation rule of the band." "How?"
They and theirs had suffered so much that I was powerless. I could only obtain one small concession." "Say on, say on!" exclaimed Harkaway. "What was that? I burn with eagerness to know more of my dear boys." "I was to do the last sad honours to the noble dead. Three were to be executed; one of themselves, a traitor called Lirico.
By dissimulating to Hunston the viper! how I tremble with horror at the very name I obtained one concession Lirico was the first to suffer, the boys were to follow." "Oh, Hunston! villain!" groaned Harkaway, "villain!" "The execution took place at daybreak. I waited on the firing party.
It may give them a relish for their own share to follow." The word was given. "Ready! Present! Fire!" The six rifles flashed simultaneously. Then, as the wounded Lirico was struck, he bounded into the air and fell back into the grave stone dead! Hunston stood smiling grimly, even while the very men turned sick at the butchery they were forced to enact.
"No," added Harry Girdwood; "they must see how Englishmen can face death." And then, led by the girl who had, to her sorrow, brought them to this dire pass, they came to the spot where the tragedy was to take place. Lirico, the traitor, was already pinioned, and he stood with his eyes bandaged upon the edge of the grave which was shortly to receive his lifeless body.
He had insisted upon having this post, one that none of the brigands envied him so that he might gloat over his victims at the last hour. The two boys were aroused with some difficulty, for strange though it may appear, they were sleeping soundly when the fatal moment approached. "Come," said the girl, in a hollow voice. "Lirico is already on the ground." "We mustn't be behindhand then."
When the wretched Lirico was dealt upon, I passed round and gave the men to drink from a spirit keg which I had specially provided. Then, while they feasted upon the drugged spirit, I passed round and reloaded the muskets for what they thought the final butchery." "Well, well, do not torture me, girl. Quick, tell me the end." "Can you not guess?" "No, no. Quick, tell me all."
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