Her next step was in the direction where Phenee was confined.
She found no difficulty in finding the jailer, a hard-looking man
enough, though Miriam thought she could see a gentle expression in his
eyes when they rested on two young children, whose pale, wasted
features gave evidence of close confinement in that dreary place.
"I may win him yet by those little ones," she murmured; "gold will
have power to touch his heart for their sakes."
"You wished to see me, senora?"
"Yes. I want you to answer a few questions. First, have you not got
Phenee, the Jew, and Diniz Sampayo here?"
"Yes, senora."
"Are they together?"
"No, senora."
"Could it be possible for you to set them free, without fear of
detection?" eagerly.
"Yes, senora; but I am not a traitor."
"But think, Vincent: my poor grandfather has done no harm, and he will
perish in that horrible place, though innocent. And the Senor Sampayo,
as I have proof, bought the poignard himself from my grandfather. Why,
then, should you say he stole it?" indignantly.
"It is not I who accused him; my duty here is to guard the prisoners--
not to try them."
"Vincent," Miriam continued, in a low, pleading voice, "you are poor;
your little children are pining for want of fresh, pure air.
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