"No; I say no. Are not our men to be executed for the murder of the two boys?"
"And richly they deserve it," exclaimed Mariana.
"No, no. They can not deserve it for what they are innocent of."
"It is no fault of theirs," retorted the gaoler's daughter; "They are guilty in intention, at least."
"Well, well, Mariana. I am not so base that I could see them suffer death, knowing what I know—what we know, in fact."
"But you would not betray me?" exclaimed the gaoler's daughter, anxiously.
"No, darling. The necessity for danger to you—to us, I may say—is entirely done away with."
"What do you mean?"
"The gallant men will rescue their comrades on Thursday on the way to the execution."
"What!" said Mariana; "Thursday!"