"I steal? When you know it is the weapon I bought from Phenee, the Jew, as proof against the murderer."
"So you said; but we have heard another tale to that. Anyhow, if you are innocent, you will be set free as soon as you are tried."
"But the man Jarima? Have you not been for him?"
"Yes, but he is useless; when we arrived, some one had been before us, and not only blinded him, but cut out his tongue, so that he could not speak."
"How horrible! How could any one have been so cold-blooded?" Diniz gasped, turning pale.
"Evidently it was done for some purpose. But come, Sampayo, I cannot wait here."
"Will nothing I say convince you I am innocent? If innocence gives strength, I shall soon be at liberty."
Henrique smiled scornfully, and hurried the young man away.
"You will not be alone; your prison-cell is shared by another—Phenee, the Jew. An old friend of yours, is he not?" Henrique asked.
"Friend—no! I have only spoken to him once in my life. What is he arrested for?"