He
felt sure that his friends and he would escape. He did not doubt it even
now, when only one of the five was free in the woods out there. The spring
sun was setting in great clouds of red and gold fire, a pleasant coolness
was coming over the heated landscape, and every building, fence, and tree
was touched by a soft but vivid light.
Braxton led the way into the house and into a great room, where Francisco
Alvarez sat in a high chair, keeping state like a feudal lord. He waved
his hand and the soldiers withdrew. Then he said to Braxton Wyatt:
"I wish to speak alone, absolutely alone, to Senor Ware, and I must ask
you to leave us for a little while."
Braxton turned on his heel, his anger but half concealed, and the Spaniard
smiled to himself, Francisco Alvarez was a wily man, a reader of the minds
of others, and he did not object to the present displeasure of Wyatt.
But he said nothing until the renegade was gone. Henry, meanwhile, had
quietly taken his seat in a cane chair. He was not of any mind to stand in
the presence of this man who bore himself as if he were master of
everything by right divine.
Francisco Alvarez observed the act and understood its meaning. He smiled
again to himself. He had not misjudged the youth, and it confirmed him in
the plan that had come suddenly into his cunning mind.
Pages:
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210