"Take that, thief!" But the villain, doubtless as a last resource, and to prevent any watchman stopping him, began also to cry:
"Thieves! Thieves!"
Then the sharp, long whistles of the watchmen were heard, followed by another and another.
The street of San Florencio was well lighted, and the criminal was clearly visible, trying to get quickly under the shadow of the houses.
Boom! Boom!
"Take that, thief!"
"Thieves!" returned the fugitive, without ceasing flight.
Two watchmen joined the column of attack, and ran, brandishing their pikes, by the side of the mayor.
The thief seemed, at all cost, anxious to reach the Rua Nueva, so as to gain the harbor, where he could secure himself in a boat, or cast himself into the water. But before arriving there he stumbled and fell prostrate on the ground. Thanks to this accident, the patrol gained upon him considerably, and had almost reached him when the villain jumped up with great celerity and flew off swifter than the wind. Don Roque fired off the last two shots of his revolver, still crying:
"Take that, thief!"