The verdict was decided ere it began, and,
indeed, so eager was Megales to get the farce over with that
several times he interrupted the proceedings to urge haste.
It took them just fifteen minutes from the time the young
American was brought into the room to find him guilty of treason
and to decide upon immediate execution as the fitting punishment.
General Carlo turned to the prisoner. "Have you anything to say
before I pronounce sentence of death upon you?"
"I have," answered Bucky, looking him straight in the eyes. "I am
an American, and I demand the rights of a citizen of the United
States."
"An American?" Incredulously Megales lifted his eyebrows. "You
are a Spanish gypsy, my friend."
The ranger was fairly caught in his own trap. He had donned the
gypsy masquerade because he did not want to be taken for what he
was, and he had succeeded only too well. He had played into their
hands. They would, of course, claim, in the event of trouble with
the United States, that they had supposed him to be what his
costume proclaimed him, and they would be able to make good their
pretense with a very decent appearance of candor.
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