the partisans and the French. As a result, he no choice but to try to reach the fortress of Almeida, which is about to be besieged by the French, rather than go directly to Wellington. During this trek, Sharpe and Teresa fall in love. When questioned, she admits that El Católico murdered Hardy (after the latter found El Católico moving the gold) and that her fiancé intends to use it for his own ends, rather than turn it over to the provisional Spanish government in Cadiz. Sharpe and his men are caught on open ground, about to be overrun by French lancers, but are rescued by a unit of King's German Legion cavalry under Captain Lossow, who was sent by Hogan to search for them. In Almeida, he chashes with the commander of the fortress, the English Brigadier Cox. Sharpe had an order personally written by Wellington, requiring that all officers give Sharpe whatever assistance he requires, but Kearsey had torn it up, so Cox is suspicious of his motives. El Católico, his men and a Spanish officer arrive the same night and lodge a claim for the gold on behalf of the Spanish government. Unable to contact Wellington, as the telegraph is destroyed by French artillery before a message can be sent, Cox orders Sharpe to surrender the gold to El Católico and join the garrison. That night, there is a final showdown between Sharpe and El Católico on the roof of a building adjacent to where the gold is stored. Sharpe, knowing that El Católico is a far superior swordsman, in desperation lets El Católico stab him through the leg with his rapier, but prevents him from extracting the weapon. With El Católico effectively disarmed, Sharpe first knocks him unconscious, then cuts his throat. This, however, has no bearing on Cox insistence on giving the gold to the partisans, so in desperation, Sharpe decides to blow up the fortress's magazine. A stray French shell ignites the gunpowder trail he laid to the magazine. The ensuing massive explosion killing hundreds of the garrison, including Kearsey. With his ammunition gone and part of his fortifications in ruins, Cox is forced to surrender. Sharpe and Lossow depart with their men and the gold before the French forces enter. Teresa returns to the partisans; with El Católico dead, she is likely to take over command. When Sharpe delivers the gold (less what