"He is much moved," returned one of the officers.
"All his hopes were on it," said Ligozzi bitterly. "His wife, his God."
In disappointed groups the men moved off, to spread the evil news.
It was now fully dark, but not so dark that the three left by the cave could not see each other in the faint starlight.
Mastino called to Tomaso. His voice was hoarse and strained.
"Tell me all, boy; tell how it happened."
"My lord," faltered Tomaso, "it is too painful."
"Painful!" And Della Scala laughed harshly. "I am well used to that; tell me how it happened."
He had risen, and standing in the shadow of the trees, only the outline of his great figure was visible to Tomaso and Ligozzi, standing a few paces before him.
"There is not much to tell," said the boy uneasily; he was sick with disappointment and the pain of his wound and leaned heavily against his father.