Jack turned the key in the lock. He was none too soon. A moment later
the padding of the bare feet of the sentries sounded muffled outside,
then grew fainter as the men separated, one ascending the stairway of
the tower, the other running along the balcony.
Jack was puzzled as to what next to do. From Roy Stone's brief
description of the Don's family, he guessed at the identities of the
two women. While he stood irresolute, the girl recovered from her
fright. Her dark eyes flashed, and she commanded him in an imperious
tone to lower his weapon.
"Not till you promise me not to shout, Miss," Jack said.
"Very well," said the girl. "But who are you? You cannot escape. My
father will capture you."
"Not if I can help it, Miss," said Jack grimly.
In the rapid march of events, the handkerchief with which he had
bound up his jaw had become loosened. Now it fell, revealing Jack's
handsome features and his close-clinging mop of dark curls.
"Why, you are just a boy," declared Rafaela, and her eyes lost some of
their hostility while at the same time, unconsciously, her voice
became less harsh.
"Surely," she said, turning to Donna Ana, "this lad can have done
nothing so terrible."
The prim, black-robed duenna had gained courage from her mistress's
temerity.
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