"I only ask to save the lives of the men unjustly accused of the murder, and who have been doomed to die to-morrow."
"Granted—why, it was granted unasked," said Harkaway.
"Enough," said the girl; "I see that I may count upon you. Will you come with me to your son and his friend?"
"Yes."
He sprang up with the greatest alacrity, but a sudden fancy crossed him, and he seized the girl by the shoulder.
"You are not playing me false?" said Jack.
"Look in my face and be assured."
He gazed long and earnestly at her, and she bore his fixed look unflinchingly.
"Yes, yes," he said, more to himself than to her; "you are truthful—I am sure of that—but I'll not neglect any precaution; for my head is so sorely perplexed by all you have told me that I scarcely know if I am asleep or waking."
He pressed his brow with his open hands, and then looking carefully to the priming of his revolvers, he started out with the girl; and as they issued from the grounds of the villa, he spoke his last words of mistrust before giving her his whole confidence.