"He means," said one of them in a whisper, "topenetrate the secret cave of the Gothic kings, that cave on which eachsuccessive sovereign has put a padlock,""Till there are now twenty-seven of them," interrupted a still olderknight."And he means," said the first, frowning at the interruption, "to takethence the treasures of his ancestors.""Indeed, he must do it," said another, "else the son of his ancestorswill have no treasure left of his own.""But there is a spell upon it," said the other. "For ages Spain has beenthreatened with invasion, and it is the old tradition that the onlytalisman which can prevent it is in this cave.""Well," said the scoffer, "it is only by entering the cave that he canpossess the talisman.""But if he penetrates to it, his power is lost.""A pretty talisman," said the other. "It is only of use to anybody solong as no one sees it. Were I the king I would hold it in my hands. And Ihave counselled him to heed no graybeards, but to seize the treasure forhimself. I have offered to accompany him.""May it please your lordship," said the eager Luis, "may I go with you?""Yes," said Don Alonzo de Carregas, turning to the ardent boy. "Where theking goes I go, and where I go thou shalt be my companion. See, senors,"he said, turning to the others, "how the ready faith of boyhood puts yourfears to shame.
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