Jack Harkaway and His Son's Escape from the Brigands of Greece

by Bracebridge Hemyng

  CHAPTER XXXI.

  THE SECRET WORK GOES ON--WHO IS THE TRAITOR?--THE FALL OF AFAVOURITE--THE RECRUIT'S MUSINGS--A STRANGE REVELATION.

  It was true.

  Hunston had been given up by the brigands.

  They knew but little of Harkaway, but that little told them that he wasnot the man to make a false assertion.

  They felt sure that Hunston had received more money for the ransom ofthe boys than he had acknowledged, and so they voted his doom.

  Under ordinary circumstances he would have been shot.

  As it was, they had learnt so terribly to respect Harkaway that theygave up his enemy in preference to taking the law in their own hands.

  Not a day passed but one or more of the brigands suffered at the handsof the enemy whose revenge they had so unwisely provoked.

  Let them go armed, with a support of armed men within easy call and onthe watch, it could not avail them.

  They were picked off, slowly, surely, quietly, mysteriously.

  And this was the chief reason that they sought to negotiate with theHarkaway party by giving up their enemy Hunston.

  But still the work went on.

  There was only one man in the whole band who had the courage to lay thefacts before them.

  "We must move away from this part of the country," he said. "Once letus see how matters turn out with our comrades who have fallen into thehands of these English people, and then we must be gone."

  But while they waited more fell.

  Several got taken prisoners, and the band presented a very thinappearance.

  The day of trial approached for the brigands, of whom Hunston was one.

  And the verdict was universally foreseen.

  They were condemned to death for the murder of the two boys, HarryGirdwood and young Jack.

  In five days they were to be executed.

  In the court there was one person who heard the sentence with thegreatest possible terror.

  This was Theodora.

  Why should it so affect her?

  It was surely not that she could have any sympathy with such rogues andmurdering villains.

  Justice was swift in the execution of its decrees here, and thecondemned brigands were doomed to death within five days.

  "Five days!" Theodora repeated to herself again and again, as she leftthe court. "Five days! So short. Well, then I must my do duty come whatmay. To-morrow may yet be in time--or the next day."

  Still she was sorely perplexed.

  "If I avow all, I shall incur the undying enmity of the band," shereasoned; "and if I keep silent, I shall be the murderess of thosemen--men with whom I have grown up and been taught to look upon asbrothers."

  She had some strange secret upon her mind which troubled her sorely.

  In her dire perplexity she went to the camp, and did her best to excitethe men to an effort on behalf of their imperilled comrades.

  Pedro listened to all she had to say.

  Then he gave his opinion.

  "We are clearly bound to make an effort to save our friends," he said;"we can not let our comrades perish without attempting to save them."

  "No, no!" answered the brigands, with one voice.

  But perhaps the most demonstrative of all was the last recruit who hadjoined the brigands--the Englishman, known amongst his new comrades asGeoffrey, the discharged servant of Harkaway.

  "When shall the attempt be made?" said Pedro; "that is the nextquestion."

  "At once," said Toro.

  He looked around for some supporters; but he looked in vain.

  Toro was no longer in good odour.

  His connection with Hunston had rendered him exceedingly unpopular.

  He was too daring a spirit for them to break out into open murmurs, butquietly he was deposed; and then Pedro was admitted as leader.

  When the question of giving up Hunston to the enemy was first mooted,Toro had violently opposed it; but his was the one solitary voice thatwas lifted for his old comrade.

  "The only chance of success," suggested Pedro, "is to wait and attackthe procession on the way to execution. The prison itself is too welldefended for us to hope for success."

  "That's true," said Geoffrey; "and failure would ruin them."

  "Surely."

  It was arranged consequently that the attempt should be made upon theday appointed for the execution.

  The utmost secrecy should be kept as to their plans.

  "Let not a word be breathed of our resolves anywhere," said Pedro,"unless we are all together in council assembled, for I fear that wehave had a traitor in our camp."

  "A traitor!"

  "Aye."

  "One or more?"

  "One, at least, would not surprise me after all that has occurred."

  "Nor me either," said Geoffrey.

  Saying which, he glanced significantly over his shoulder in thedirection of Toro.

  The latter, on the rejection of his plan, had stalked moodily away, andwas walking up and down buried in bitter reflections.

  "Hah!"

  "If I could believe that possible," exclaimed one of the brigands, "itwould be a speedy end of his rule here."

  Saying which he drew his long dagger significantly.

  "Well, well," said Geoffrey, who acted cautiously, and was satisfied athaving unsettled their minds with regard to the Italian bravo, "let usseek the traitor, and when found--." He left the rest unsaid; but theyknew well what was meant.

  The only person quitting the camp was Lerna.

  So that no traitor could well carry the news to the enemy this time.

  "Let no precaution be neglected," said Pedro; "we must choose trustysentinels. I'll take the watch at the gap myself."

  "Good."

  "Geoffrey."

  "Present, captain."

  Toro gave a start at that reply, which clearly gave the death-knell tohis own command.

  "Do you mount guard at the cross roads below."

  "Leading to the fountain avenue, do you mean, captain?"

  "Yes."

  "Good."

  And shouldering his musket, he gave a stiff salute and marched off.

  "Perhaps you would not have far to look for traitors," said Toro, asGeoffrey disappeared, "did not your prejudices blind you."

  "Do you allude to Geoffrey?" asked Pedro, coldly.

  "Judge for yourself."

  "Speak out boldly."

  "I have been bold enough for you," said Toro, passionately,

  "Speak in the presence of him you would accuse."

  "I fear no man here" cried Toro.

  "Nor does any man fear you."

  "Then by thunder, he shall!" and out came his sword.

  At this unmistakable demonstration several of the brigands made signsof cutting in, and the Italian saw that it was a desperate game he wasventuring on.

  He saw it just in time, for the brigands were ready, one and all, tofall upon him with dagger and sword.

  Gradually he fell back and left them, but the seed was sown.

  The few words which Geoffrey had spoken had done their duty well.

  "So, so" muttered Geoffrey, as he went; "Hunston is done for, and Toroshall soon follow. Thirty-two men have been 'dropped' for our dearboys--thirty-two. Gad! but it is a goodly number. They will learn torespect the name of Jack Harkaway in this miserable land--and to ruethe day that they molested anyone of us. Thirty-two--aye, and the restshall follow, as sure as my name is--Who goes there! Speak! By Heaven,stop! Nabley--just in time, but silence."