It needed but one
glance at his sunken cheeks and glazing eyes to tell me that he
was dying.
"Gerard!" said he; "Gerard!"
I could but look my sympathy, but he, though the life was ebbing
swiftly out of him, still kept his duty before him, like the
gallant gentleman he was.
"The beacon, Gerard! You will light it?"
"Have you flint and steel?"
"It is here!"
"Then I will light it to-night."
"I die happy to hear you say so. They shot me, Gerard.
But you will tell the Marshal that I did my best."
"And Cortex?"
"He was less fortunate. He fell into their hands and died
horribly. If you see that you cannot get away, Gerard, put a
bullet into your own heart. Don't die as Cortex did."
I could see that his breath was failing, and I bent low to catch
his words.
"Can you tell me anything which can help me in my task?" I asked.
"Yes, yes; de Pombal. He will help you. Trust de Pombal." With
the words his head fell back and he was dead.
"Trust de Pombal. It is good advice." To my amazement a man was
standing at the very side of me.
Pages:
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157