"My friend," he said to him, in a gentle voice, "what is going on outside?"
The jailer obstinately remained silent.
"In Heaven's name speak!"
The noise seemed to draw nearer, and hurried footsteps were mingled with the shouts. The man in the mask drew his machete from its sheath and his pistol from his belt, and ran to the door, which was suddenly burst open. Another masked bandit evidently suffering from great terror, dashed into the room.
"Look out!" he shouted. "We are lost!"
At these words four men, also masked and armed to the teeth, appeared in the doorway.
"Back!" the jailer cried; "no one enters here without the password."
"There it is," said one of the newcomers, and he laid him stark dead with a pistol shot. The four men passed over his body and securely tied his companion, who had sought refuge in a corner, and was trembling all over. One of them then walked up to the prisoner, who comprehended nothing of this scene.
"You are free caballero!" he said to him. "Come, make haste to fly far from this house."
"Who are you?" the young man asked.