Pedro, only to find him gagged and bound, exactly
like his comrade. It was some minutes before either could speak, after
they were cut loose and their gags removed, and then their tales were the
same.
"I watched. I watched well, Captain," said Luiz, "by the Holy Virgin I
swear it! Never in this whole terrible night, not for a moment, have my
eyes closed. I saw nothing, I heard nothing but a wolf howling in the
forest, and then, long after midnight, I was suddenly seized from behind
by powerful hands. I could not move, so strong were they. I was gagged and
bound and I could see only the phantom figures of the men who did it. I
know no more."
Pedro, with many supplications, repeated the tale, and Francisco Alvarez
was forced to believe them, although he cursed them for carelessness, and
promised them punishment. Braxton Wyatt had remained silent, although his
face showed deep disappointment. Presently, when the turmoil had died
down, he said in a low voice to Alvarez:
"What was it that the sentinel said about hearing the howl of a wolf?"
"I heard it myself," replied Alvarez. "It was about midnight, when a wolf
to the north howled four times. An hour or so later I heard it again,
somewhat nearer and somewhat to the west, when it howled four times as
before.
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