"Senor Ware," he said, veiling his voice and speaking with a velvety
courtesy that was unusual in him, "I have brought you here to tell you
first that I repent my act to-day, by which I placed your comrade's life
in seeming danger. I was hasty, but I had been goaded greatly, and it may
be, too, that I was influenced by the sinister advice of one who hates you
and your friends in a manner almost beyond belief. Besides, the swordsman
had orders not to slay."
Henry Ware looked at him in great surprise. Five minutes ago he would not
have dreamed it possible that he could hear such a speech in such a tone
from Francisco Alvarez. He waited to see what it meant. Alvarez regarded
him in a sort of kindly contemplation, as a man would look upon a youth
for whom he had benevolent plans.
"We have been enemies so far," he resumed in his winning tone, "you and
your comrades against myself and my people. But I have learned one thing,
and I am confirmed in it by the opinion of others; boy as you are, you are
the strongest and most dangerous of the five who oppose me; you are the
leader."
The words, although true, were those of compliment and flattery, and Henry
felt the touch of poison in the silky tone. He stiffened himself slightly
as if he would resist a danger, unknown as yet, but all the more to be
dreaded on that account.
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