The sincerest pity was depicted
on his face. Doubtless he also, like Judge Jarriquez, would have
liked Dacosta to have escaped.
It was too late!
The chief of the police, who held a paper in his hand, advanced
toward the prisoner.
"Before all of you," said Joam Dacosta, "let me tell you, sir, that
it only rested with me to get away, and that I would not do so."
The chief of the police bowed his head, and then, in a voice which he
vainly tried to control:
"Joam Dacosta," he said, "the order has this moment arrived from the
chief justice at Rio Janeiro."
"Father!" exclaimed Manoel and Benito.
"This order," asked Joam Dacosta, who had crossed his arms, "this
order requires the execution of my sentence?"
"Yes!"
"And that will take place?"
"To-morrow."
Benito threw himself on his father. Again would he have dragged him
from his cell, but the soldiers came and drew away the prisoner from
his grasp.
At a sign from the chief of the police Benito and Manoel were taken
away. An end had to be put to this painful scene, which had already
lasted too long.
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