“I know that you are not afraid, Diego. I dread to tell you this thing, though it means your life.”
He stepped closer to her suddenly, and looked down into her eyes. “What are you trying to tell me?” he asked kindly. “Do not be afraid to speak.”
“That you are to go free, Diego,” she replied, failing to meet his glance.
“And how may that be?” he asked.
“Captain Ramón is to arrange it.”
“Put not your trust in Ramón!”
“Ah, Diego, but there is naught else to do!” she said. “He tells me that he is tricking the pirates. He will ride to San Diego de Alcála and return with the troopers from the presidio there. The pirates will be slain or captured, and you and the caballeros will be saved.”
“Ramón will do this?” Señor Zorro cried. “Is there some hidden spark of gentlehood in the beast?”
“He will do it, Diego—for a price.”