"Then by thunder, he shall!" and out came his sword.
At this unmistakable demonstration several of the brigands made signs of cutting in, and the Italian saw that it was a desperate game he was venturing on.
He saw it just in time, for the brigands were ready, one and all, to fall upon him with dagger and sword.
Gradually he fell back and left them, but the seed was sown.
The few words which Geoffrey had spoken had done their duty well.
"So, so" muttered Geoffrey, as he went; "Hunston is done for, and Toro shall soon follow. Thirty-two men have been 'dropped' for our dear boys—thirty-two. Gad! but it is a goodly number. They will learn to respect the name of Jack Harkaway in this miserable land—and to rue the day that they molested anyone of us. Thirty-two—aye, and the rest shall follow, as sure as my name is—Who goes there! Speak! By Heaven, stop! Nabley—just in time, but silence."
CHAPTER XXXII.
THEODORA'S ERRAND—FATAL NEWS—THE MYSTERY DEEPENS—HER
RESOLVE—TO THE VILLA—INTERVIEW WITH HARKAWAY—THE VOICE FROM THE
GRAVE—A HEART OF GOLD.
Theodora now made her way with all speed to the waterside prison, to which allusion has been previously made.