Count Alarcos; a Tragedy Part 25

There is a man missing in Burgos, and I will know where he is.

IV:1:72 OLD MAN.

There were many men missing in my time.

IV:1:73 THE UNKNOWN.

Dead or alive, I care not; but land or water, river or turf, I will know where the body is stowed. See

[shaking a purse]

here is eno' to point all the poniards of the city. You shall have it to drink his health.

IV:1:74 A BRAVO.

How call you him?

IV:1:75 THE UNKNOWN.

Oran, the Moor.

IV:1:76 1ST BRAVO.

[Jumping from his seat and approaching the Stranger.]

My name is Guzman Jaca; my hand was in that business.

IV:1:77 THE UNKNOWN.

With the Moor and three of your comrades?

IV:1:78 1ST BRAVO.

The same.

IV:1:79 THE UNKNOWN.

And how came your quarry to fly next day?

IV:1:80 1ST BRAVO.

Very true; 'twas a bad business for all of us. I fought like a lion; see, my arm is still bound up; but he had advice of our visit; and no sooner had we saluted him, than there suddenly appeared a goodly company of twelve serving-men, or say twelve to fifteen--

IV:1:81 THE UNKNOWN.

You lie; he walked alone.

IV:1:82 1ST BRAVO.

Very true; and if I am forced to speak the whole truth, it was thus.

I fought like a lion; see, my arm is still bound up; but I was not quite his match alone, for I had let blood the day before, and my comrades were taken with a panic, and so left me in the lurch.

And now you have it all.

IV:1:83 THE UNKNOWN.

And Oran?

IV:1:84 1ST BRAVO.

He fled at once.

IV:1:85 THE UNKNOWN.

Come, come, Oran did not fly.

IV:1:86 1ST BRAVO.

Very true. We left him alone with the Count.

And now you have it all.

IV:1:87 THE UNKNOWN.

Had he slain him, the body would have been found.

IV:1:88 1ST BRAVO.

Very true. That's the difference between us professional performers, and you mere amateurs; we never leave the bodies.

IV:1:89 THE UNKNOWN.

And you can tell me nothing of him?

IV:1:90 1ST BRAVO.

No, but I engage to finish the Count, any night you like now, for I have found out his lure.

IV:1:91 THE UNKNOWN.

How's that?

IV:1:92 1ST BRAVO.

Every evening, about an hour after sunset, he enters by a private way the citadel.

IV:1:93 THE UNKNOWN.

Hah! what more?

IV:1:94 1ST BRAVO.

He is stagged; there is a game playing, but what I know not.

IV:1:95 THE UNKNOWN.

Your name is Guzman Jaca?

IV:1:96 1ST BRAVO.

The same.

IV:1:97 THE UNKNOWN.

Honest fellow! there's gold for you. You know nothing of Oran?

IV:1:98 1ST BRAVO.

Maybe he has crawled to some place wounded.

IV:1:99 THE UNKNOWN.

To die like a bird. Look after him. If I wish more, I know where to find you. What ho, Master Host! I cannot wait to try your mistress's art to-night; but here's my scot for our next supper.

[Exit THE UNKNOWN.]