Now there came a battering at the door.
"Señor Zorro!" Sergeant Gonzales cried.
"Well, señor?" Zorro asked.
"I have an offer for you from his excellency the governor."
"I am listening, loud one!"
"His excellency has no wish to cause your death or injury to the señorita you have inside with you. He asks that you open the door and come out with the lady."
"To what end?" Señor Zorro asked.
"You shall be given a fair trial, and the señorita also. Thus you may escape death and receive imprisonment instead."
"Ha! I have seen samples of his excellency's fair trials," Señor Zorro responded. "Think you I am an imbecile!"