"I must do so," Leon replied; "but tell me why you arrest me?" Then he bent down to Wilhelm and whispered—"You know where we were going; proceed there alone, and tell Diego what has happened to me."
"All right; trust to me."
"Gentlemen," Leon continued, "I have asked you for what motive you arrest me; will you be good enough to tell me?"
"We do not know," the head of the serenos answered. "I have orders to make certain of your body and the rest does not concern me. For the third time, are you willing to follow us peaceably?"
Leon reflected for a few seconds, and answered in the affirmative.
"In that case, uncock your pistols."
He raised his arms and discharged his pistols in the air.
"Why, what are you about?" the sereno exclaimed; "you will give an alarm!"
"You told me to uncock my pistols, and I did more, I unloaded them. What more would you have?"
"Enough argument; march!" said the man.