Chapter 6 – Help is needed
While Victoria was worrying in her cell, Diego was pacing up and down in his secret laboratory.
"I have to get Victoria out of the prison," he said to Felipe who was sitting in chair near the desk. Felipe was making the "Z" sign looking at Diego questionably.
"No, Zorro can't free her this time. Victoria is too closely guarded. There is no hope for me to get her out without getting caught. I can still turn myself in before she gets hanged."
Felipe looked in horror at Diego and made the sign of being hanged.
"I know I will hang if I turn myself in. There must be something else I can do." Diego started pacing again.
Felipe made signs again and Diego interpreted.
'Zorro has helped so many people and now you cannot help yourself?'
Diego looked at him thoughtfully. "You are right. I have helped many people in the recent years. I think it is time to remind them. I think Zorro will ride tonight."
Felipe looked at Diego without understanding.
"I think it is time for the people to help Zorro. Tonight I will have to do some talking."
It was two days later, the new edition of The Guardian was released.
"Diego what is this article about Zorro in the new edition?" Don Alejandro asked his son after reading the paper.
"Well, I found a letter from Zorro in my office with the request to publish it."
The article they were talking about was a kind of goodbye letter. In plain words Zorro made clear that he saw no reason to remain in Los Angeles if Senorita Escalante was hanged. Though she no longer was his love, she was one of the reasons for him to fight. If the the people of Los Angeles wanted him to continue fighting for them, they had to make sure that nothing happened to Senorita Escalante or he would no longer defend them and leave the Los Angeles area.
Z Z Z
In de Soto's Office Mendoza was discussing the article with the alcalde.
"This is too good. If Zorro turns himself in or not, I will get rid of him by hanging Senorita Escalante. No more Zorro finally. It can't wait for tomorrow, Sergeant Mendoza."
"But Alcalde what will the people do without Zorro?"
"They will finally do what I tell them without any more interference from this outlaw."
The alcalde was looking forward to get rid of Zorro without realizing the impact it would have on the people of Los Angeles.
"What will we do without Zorro?" This was the main question that was discussed throughout the pueblo. Zorro was the one who was standing between them and the alcalde. There were few people Zorro had not helped one way or the other by making the alcalde revoke unjust taxes or turning in bandits. Were they willing to loose Zorro by seeing him or his former love hanged?
The news had spread quickly through the pueblo either by the readers of the newspaper or by the peasants Zorro had paid a visit during the night. He had reminded them of the help he had given them and asked them to come to the plaza the day of the planned hanging.