singularly quiet and dejected, and the agitation which reigned in
the club showed them that something unusual had happened. Groups
of men were standing talking excitedly in the great hall. Others
with dejected mien were pacing the marble pavement. As Hamilcar
entered, several persons hurried up to him.

"Welcome back again!" they exclaimed; "your presence is most
opportune at this sad moment."

"What has happened?" Hamilcar asked; "I have but this moment arrived,
and rode straight here to hear the news of what has taken place
in my absence."

"What! have you not heard?" they exclaimed; "for the last four
days nothing else has been talked of, nothing else thought of --
Hasdrubal has been assassinated!"

Hamilcar recoiled a step as if struck.

"Ye gods!" he exclaimed, "can this be so? Hasdrubal the handsome,
as he was well called, the true patriot, the great general, the
eloquent orator, the soul of generosity and patriotism, our leader
and hope, dead! Surely it cannot be."

"It is too true, Hamilcar. Hasdrubal is dead -- slain by the knife
of an Iberian, who, it seems, has for months been in his service,
awaiting the chance for revenge for some injuries which his family
or people have suffered from our arms.

"It is a terrible blow. This morning a swift sailing ship has