Alas! it was a vain hope. Much time had been lost while the three men had been shut up. Their candles had burned out. Fanfar tore a rail from the stairs and began to sound the wall, and suddenly they heard themselves answered, but all the time they were at a loss to understand how they had been able to establish such prompt communication. But this was no time for explanation. All they now thought of was Esperance. The carriage was driven at full speed toward Courberrie.
CHAPTER LXVI.
UNITED IN DEATH.
Benedetto entered. He was now the escaped convict, neither more nor less. On his lips was a hideous smile. He had attained his aim at last—he had in his power the son of the man whom he hated, and revenge was sweet.
Esperance held Jane in his arms, and merely turned his head toward Benedetto.
"Who are you?" he cried. "I know you not, but if you are not the basest of the base, you will aid me to make my escape from this terrible place, and enable me to take this poor child with me."
"No, sir!" answered Benedetto, slowly. "I will not aid you to escape, and you will not save this woman."
"Ah! I understand you. You are the accomplice of these scoundrels. Very well; I will make a way for myself."