“Yes, master,” the panic-stricken servant replied. “The garden is full of them. There are more than twenty of them, and they have every means of escape covered.”
Doctor Bonsal turned with a sad smile to Señora Felix: “You see! To attempt flight would be useless. Besides, even if it were possible for me to get away, it would be most unwise. It is necessary that I go to those men at the door before they come in here. It is our only chance of preventing them from discovering the presence here of you and Mr. Hawley—and that, of course, must be prevented.”
“But I cannot let you go,” the señora cried, still clinging to him. “It means your doom. That tyrant will show you no mercy. You——”
“Hush, my child,” he said gently. “After all, I am an old man, and my days upon this earth are numbered. It does not matter much what becomes of me—we must think only of the cause that is so dear to us. If only we can get those men to depart without learning that you are here, I shall be satisfied.”
He gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and turned to the Camera Chap. “Whatever happens, Mr. Hawley, I am going to ask you to remain in this room with Señora Felix, and not attempt to leave the house until you have made sure that the soldiers have gone. I would try to conceal you both, but there is no time for that. Besides, it would be useless; if they insist upon searching the house they would find you anyway, and——”
A crash and a shout of triumph interrupted him. “They’ve broken down the door. I must go at once,” he whispered, and hurried out into the hall.
“What do you wish, gentlemen? What is the meaning of this violence?” the Camera Chap heard him demand, with great dignity.
“You are Doctor Gaspard Bonsal?”
“At your service, señor.”
“We have an order for your arrest,” came the startling announcement. “I regret to say, señor, that you must go with us at once.”