"First of all, who are you?" replied Don Fernando; "Who are you, who proclaim yourselves my liberators?"
"We have no time for explanations," answered the man in the mask. "Make haste and follow us."
"Not before I know who you are."
The other gave an impatient stamp, and, stooping down, whispered in his ear:
"Madman! Have you no wish to see Doña Hermosa again?"
Don Fernando reddened with pleasure.
"I follow you," said he.
"Here," said the mask, "take these pistols and this sword; we have not done our work yet. We may still have fighting before us."
"Yes!" exclaimed Don Fernando joyfully; "I now see that you are really sent to save me. I will follow wherever you may lead." And he seized the weapons, and placed them in his girdle.
They hastily left the house.