"All has failed," answered the man, breathless with haste and terror.
"What!" the Linda shouted, with a cry like that of a wild beast.
"There were five of us," the man continued, quite unmoved, "and we carried off the señorita. All went on well till within a short distance from this house, when we were attacked by four demons, who came I know not whence."
"And you did not defend yourselves, miserable cowards!" interrupted the General violently.
The bandit gave him a cold look, and continued impassively—
"Three of our number are dead, and the leader and myself wounded."
"And the girl?" the Linda asked passionately.
"The girl was recaptured by our opponents. The Englishman has sent me to you to learn if you still wish him to carry off Doña Rosario?"
"Would he attempt it again?"
"Yes. And this time, he says, he is certain to succeed if the conditions are the same."