Yet there was something else to follow as an epilogue, a thing that added a grim ironic flavour to the whole.
As they stepped into the waist of the Cinco Llagas, Hagthorpe advanced to receive them.

Blood observed the set, almost scared expression on his face.
"I see that you've found it," he said quietly.
Hagthorpe's eyes looked a question.

But his mind dismissed whatever thought it held.
"Don Diego..." he was beginning, and then stopped, and looked curiously at Blood.
Noting the pause and the look, Esteban bounded forward, his face livid.
"Have you broken faith, you curs?
Has he come to harm ?" he cried--and the six Spaniards behind him grew clamorous with furious questionings.
"We do not break faith," said Hagthorpe firmly, so firmly that he quieted them.

"And in this case there was not the need.

Don Diego died in his bonds before ever you reached the Encarnacion." Peter Blood said nothing.
"Died ?" screamed Esteban.