The King and the Sub-Prior both looked disappointed.

The chief of the Santa Hermandad expressed himself confirmed in his previous supposition.
The prisoner retained his calmness; but a gleam of intelligence seemed to flit across his features.
"You would speak, Senor Stanley," interposed the King, as the girl was dismissed.

"We would gladly hear you." "I would simply say, your Highness," replied Stanley, gratefully, "that it is not unlikely Beta may have heard such sounds.

I am convinced my evening draught was drugged; and the same secret enemy who did this, to give him opportunity undiscovered to purloin my sword--may, nay, _must_ have entered my chamber during that deathlike sleep, and committed the theft which was to burden an innocent man with his deed of guilt.

The deep stillness in the house might have permitted her ear to catch the step, though my sleep was too profound.
I could hardly have had time to waken, rise, commit the deed of death, and return to such a completely deceiving semblance of sleep, in the short hour of Pedro and Juana's absence; and if I had, what madness would have led me there again, and so appalled me, as to prevent all effort of escape ?" "Conscience," replied the chief of the Santa Hermandad, sternly.