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Updated: June 3, 2025
"Here it is," said Toza, as he felt down its edge for the bolt. The bolt drew back easily, and the door opened. The next instant the brigand was pushed rudely into a room, and he heard the bolt thrust back into its place almost simultaneously with the noise of the closing door. For a moment his eyes were dazzled by the light.
"What is your name?" asked Toza of his gaoler. "I am called Paulo," was the answer. "Do you know that I am to be beheaded on the fifteenth of the month?" "I have heard so," answered the man. "And do you attend me until that time?" "I attend you while I am ordered to do so. If you talk much I may be replaced." "That, then, is a tip for silence, good Paulo," said the brigand.
"I will get you out of the castle and lead you to the entrance of the tunnel, but after that you must look to yourself." "Certainly," said Toza, "that was the bargain. Once out of this accursed valley, I can defy all the princes in Christendom. Have you a rope?" "We shall need none," said the gaoler.
"Oh, I have arranged for that, and a quantity of food has been placed where we are most likely to want it. I will get it while you sleep." "But if you are captured, what am I to do?" asked Toza. "Can you not tell me now how to find the tunnel, as I told you how to find the treasure?" Paulo pondered over this for a moment, and then said, "Yes; I think it would be the safer way.
"Nonsense," cried Toza; "it is but a short distance." "The distance is greater than you think; besides, we are in full view of the castle. Would you risk everything now that the game is nearly won? You must not forget that the stake is your head; and remember what day this is." "What day is it?" asked the brigand, turning on his guide.
"I will come for you at midnight, and take you out of the castle by the secret passage; then your escape will not be noticed until morning." At midnight his gaoler came and led Toza through many a tortuous passage, the two men pausing now and then, holding their breaths anxiously as they came to an open court through which a guard paced.
"It is only a short distance from the castle, but every inch is guarded, and we cannot go direct; we must make for the other side of the valley and come to it from the north." "What!" cried Toza in amazement, "traverse the whole valley for a tunnel a few yards away?" "It is the only safe plan," said Paulo. "If you wish to go by the direct way, I must leave you to your own devices."
They left their hiding-place shortly before twelve o'clock, but their progress was so slow, crawling, as they had to do, up the steep side of the mountain, under cover of bushes and trees, that it was well after three when they came to the waterfall, which they crossed, as best they could, on stones and logs. "There," said Toza, shaking himself, "that is our last wetting. Now for the tunnel!"
They dare not seek shelter, for every habitable place was watched. When daylight overtook them on their last night's crawl through the valley, they were within a short distance of the waterfall, whose low roar now came soothingly down to them. "Never mind the daylight," said Toza; "let us push on and reach the tunnel." "I can go no farther," moaned Paulo; "I am exhausted."
I did not like the way you looked at me when I told you the gold was still in the hills. I admit that I distrust you." "Oh, very well," laughed Toza, "it doesn't really matter." And he crawled into the hole in the rock, Paulo following him. Before long the tunnel enlarged so that a man could stand upright. "Stop!" said Paulo; "there is the door near here."
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