“He tied, gagged, make no trouble,” explained the guard. “I take care of that. Horses ready this way.”
A loud cry rose behind them. They turned in alarm, but saw in the dim firelight a man bending over the prostrate figure of the chief, who had seemed to be sleeping.
That cry brought the brigands to their feet. The fire was stirred up. They saw Ruteni kneeling beside Donatus.
“He is dead!” declared Ruteni sorrowfully. “While we thought him sleeping, he died!”
Maro and Tyrus were looking on. They saw the brigands gather sorrowfully about their dead leader. A look of great satisfaction rested on the face of the young Greek, and, seeing this, Tyrus hastily advised him to conceal his feelings.
After a little, Maro asked that the captives should be brought from the cave.
Two of the brigands hastened to bring them forth, but quickly they reappeared, declaring that the captives were not there.
Snarling forth his fury, Maro caught a brand from the replenished fire and dashed into the cave. He was gone but a few moments when he reappeared, almost frothing in his madness.
“I have been deceived!” he cried. “While I slept you dogs stole Flavia away. Miserable, crawling things, where is she? Bring her to me without delay, or I swear I’ll see that you all are delivered over to justice!”
One of the brigands swiftly approached him.