"You'll ride with them yourself all the way," urged the prisoner.
"No doubt. But, of course, the word of General Culvera—"
"—Is worth what it is worth," Yeager finished for him.
"The man stands in the shadow of death. Let him say what he likes," said the Mexican contemptuously to the officer beside him.
"You are charged with being a spy, Mr. Yeager. I am told you were captured in disguise after having plotted to help prisoners escape," said Girard.
Yeager nodded quietly. "Technically I am a spy. I came here to try to save Miss Seymour and my friends. The attempt failed and I was captured."
"Are you a spy in the sense that you were in the employ of the enemies of General Pasquale and his armies?"
"No. Culvera understands that perfectly well. I came only to look out for my friends."
Girard knew what manner of man Yeager was. He intended to save his life if it could be done. This would be possible only if Culvera could be made to feel that it would cost too much to punish him.
"It is claimed that you attempted the life of General Pasquale once."