“If I had been the messenger this thing would not have happened.”
“Will you explain to these gentlemen what I have said?” said Cunningham to the interpreter.
The latter did so, and the result was scowling looks on the swarthy faces of the three Italians. The three captives awaited in silence the result of their conference. They had not to wait long.
“I am sorry, gentlemen,” said the interpreter, “for what is going to happen. My friends here are deeply disappointed.”
“It is not our fault,” said Amos Sanderson.
“They have stated the terms of release. They required five thousand scudi, and they are not forthcoming. Under the circumstances they have no choice but to doom you all to death.”
It was a terrible sentence, and the hearts of the three captives quailed.
“At least spare the boy—spare Bernard,” said Walter Cunningham.
“We can make no exception,” replied the interpreter, after a brief conference with the bandits. “All we can do is to give you the choice of the knife or the pistol.”
“I choose the pistol,” said the Englishman.