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Lee diagrammes suKmnts lllustrent le mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 •••CWCOrV RISOUITION TBT CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) ^ ^IPPLIED IM/^GF ^B". 1653 Eosl Moin Slre«l S*.^ ??fi'?''*'' Nm Yor* U609 USA '^B ("6) «2-0M0-Phont ^SS (716) 2S8-S989-Fo> ■'•.'* Sarita, the Carlist A WILD P.«8,oN OF EXCITEMENT, LPROAH, AND TUMULI POSSESSED THE VAST AUDIENCE, "—/'dt^tf 2 1 6. eARITA, THE ^ CARLIST BY ARTHUR W. MARCHMONT Author of ''In the Name of a Woman,'* " For Love or Crown," ''By Right of Sword," etc. 1r TOROXTO McLEOD & ALI*EN PUBLISHERS n n^ ... 537 «•• Entered accordingr to Act of Parliament of Canada, b the jrear nineteen hundred and two, by McLbod tt Allbm •t the Department of Agriculture. ' 830193 CONTENTS. CHArm. I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. The Victim of a Woman's Pref The Gate of Hazard, Cariists, Sarita Castelar, The Explanation, "Counting All Renegades Lovers OF Satan," Sarita, the Carlist, . Sebastian Quf.sada, . The Quesada Version, In London, " The Ways of the Carlists Will be Hard," Sarita's Welcome, The Fight, . A Coward's Story, The Abduction, . After the Rescue, War to the Knife, At the Opera House, A Carltst Gathering, At the Hotel De l'Opera, PACB. 'NCE, I • »3 . 23 • 35 49 63 75 89 99 112 122 133 147 161 «75 187 199 3 10 221 233 VI CONTENTS. CHArrH. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. XXV. XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. XXIX. XXX. XX Ki. XXXII. XXXIII. XXXIV. Sarita's Flight, . An Unexpected Meeting, News of Sarita, . A Check, At Calvarro's, The Plea of Love, Sarita Hears the Truth, How Luck Can Change, QuESADA Again, . Suspense, At the Palace, . Livenza's Revenge, . The Hut on the Hillside, A King's Riddle, PACB. . 246 . 284 . 297 . 308 • 319 33^ 345 357 370 383 397 414 SARITA, THE CARLIST CHAPTER I THB VICTIM OF A WOMAN'S PREFERENCE IF A won't marry B, ought C to be evlled ? Stated in that bald fashion the problem looks not unlike an equation that has lost caste and been relegated to a nonsense book, or lower still, to some third-rate conundrum column. And yet it was the real crux of a real situation, and meant everything to me, Ferdinand Carbonnell, the victim of a woman's preference. It came about in this way. The Glisfoyle peerage, as everyone knows, is only a poor one, and originality not being a strong point with us, Lascelles, my elder and only brother, having taken counsel with my father, fell back upon the somewhat worn device of looking out for a wife with money. He was not very success- ful in the quest, but at length a desirable quarry was marked down in the person of a Mrs. Abner B. Cur- wen, the young widow of an American millionaire ; and great preparations were made to lure her into the net that was spread in the most open and unabashed manner before her very eyes. But those eyes— bright, merry, and laughing— had a 2 SARITA, THE CARLIST brain behind them that was practical and penetrating and she saw the meshes quite plainly. She accepted the hospitality w.th pleasure, did her best to make a fnend of my only s.ster. Mercy, was properly subdued .f not awed .n the presence of my father, and. in fact,' did everything expected of her except the one thing J she would not let Lascelles make love to her, and com. pletely out-manoeuvred him whenever he tried to brinir matters to a head. ^ Moreover a crisis of another kind was in the brew- tng Mrs. Curwen herself was not an American, but a north-country Englishwoman, who had used her pretty mu'cl^'^ 7J ^^""^ °^ ^°"' ^''^y ^'^'^ ^"^ ^°"«d give much to have you as my sister; but your brother Lasceles, as too formal, too stiff in the backbone f'; wasn t love: but I married an old man ; and when I I ,\7m'^^'" ;' r"'^ '^ '°^ ^'*^- P-'tion or money I should dearly love to have you for my sister, as I say but I could not marry your brochor Lascelles Ferdl' Ts^ci^e^;!::^/""^ -^^^-^-^ ' -^^- ^^'^ ^ ^-^- hLl^T^ .^""'^ ^^"^'^"^ ^"S^^'y ^t this-her merry told me"'; b' ""' T'^-'"'' ^^^^^'"'y' -h-" e IT T!~T ^ ^"^ "^ ^"* particular chum she was togTther^ """^^^^^^^^y— ^-ghed heartily ove: U " She's a bright, jolly, little soul and beastly rich but I'm not having any," said I, shaking my he d "I don't want to cut out poor old Cello "Ithis was an u J ' A WOMAN'S PREFERENCE 3 righteous nickname of ours for Lascelles, with a covert reference to his deep, solemn, twangy voice. " But you'd better tell the father." " You might do worse, Nand," declared my sister. " Her wealth would give you just the chance you want ; and it would be awfully jolly to have a rich brother, and she's a good sort ; and you could settle down and " " Don't be a little humbug, Mercy. She's all rfght, I daresay ; but I'm not made that way. If I were going to succeed the father I might think about selling myself for a good round sum ; but no, thank you, I'm not in the market. You'd better let Cello and the father know that this little net of theirs has got fouled ; " and with that I dismissed the matter, and with no thought of trouble went off on a fortnight's visit to an old Oxford friend. When I got back to town, however, matters had moved fast, and plans were cut and dried. Lascelles had come to the conclusion that if I were out of the way his suit would prosper, and he had grown to like the little widow as much as a person of his importance could care for anyone who did not wear his clothes. My father and he had, therefore, set to work with a burst of Irish zeal, and had succeeded in getting me made a kind of probationary attach^ at the Madrid Embassy ; and expected me to be mightily pleased at the result of their innocent efforts on my behalf. My father told me the good news on my arrival, and the next morning there came the official confirmation. My father was in quite cheerful spirits. " Your foot is on the ladder, Ferdinand," he said, gleefully. He was very partial to this metaphor. If m 4 SARITA, THE CARLIST Life to him xvas a maze of ladders. leading up and down and .n all directions, of which, by the way, he vou It "'' "''''r "* "^^- " ^°" ™^y <='-»> -here fimes/' now, my boy. You've a steady head at "I trust I shall not be dizzied by the giddy height o h.s pos.t.on, sir," I answered, not wholiy'without gu.Ie for I was not enamoured of this prospective expatriation in the cause of fraternity exclLtn"!' ^'^ m'' '''' * '"^J""' ^°' ^"•''^ satire," exc aimed Lascelles, sourly. - You've not made such a bnlhant success of things on your own account and during your year« of vagrancy. I trust you'll remem- cred7t L^r ";%"°^:.^"d ^"'^^avour to do the family credit, and seek to climb the ladder which our father rightly says is open to you." "I hope you won't marry a wretched Spanish woman to carry up with you," said Mercy, a I.tt!e pungently. She resented my exile more than i did. Such a remark is scarcely called for, Mercy," said Lascelles. nUv.ys glad to pose as the mu/h .Zr brother, anc objecting to any reference to the subject of marriage at such a moment. But Mercy was as resentful as a nettle when handled tactlessly. You mean we ought to taboo the subject of marriage just at present. Very well, dear," she said demurely and humbly. My 'broth;r fr;wned ad ^M !? TJ"'" '^"'''' ^^''^ ^ ^hut down a smile. Madrid has a questionable climate, but I believe it IS excellent for young strong men." said my father obviously glad that he had not to go. " It iXl^t^.e' you have such a knowledge of Spanish, Ferdinand. It was that which turned the scale in ^our favour. A WOMAN'S PREFERENCE 5 Sir John Cullingworth told me so. It's what I've always said ; all boys should know a language or two. Always lifts a man a rung or two above the crowd when the moment comes. A most valuable mental equipment." A perfect knowledge of Spanish, the result of years of my boyhood and youth spent in Spain, was the one ewe lamb of my accomplishments ; that, and a bad pass degree at Oxford constituted the " valuable mental equipment " of my father's imagination. " It has come in handy this time, sir," I assented. "I hope you use less slang in Spanish than in English," said Lascelles, posing again. " I'm afraid the prospect of our parting has got on your nerves, Cello." " I wish you wouldn't be so disgustingly vulgar and personal as to use that ridiculous nickname for me," he fetorted, angrily. " I wish to see you in the study, Ferdinand, in about a quarter of an hour. I have something very impor- tant to say to you," interposed my father, rising to leave the room, as he generally did when my brother and I looked like having words. " Very well, sir. I'll come to you." " Do you know the news, Nand ? " cried Mercy, as soon as the door closed behind him, and the look of her eye was full of mischief. "No. I've only read a couple of newspapers this morning," I answered, flippantly. " I don't mean news of the stupid newspaper sort ; I mean real, private, important news. This will be in the fashionable gossip next week : but it isn't public yet," 6 SARITA. THE CARLIST « AK Z^*'" .^""^ I *ha" be m Madrid." An, but this IS about Madrid too " oh.. ^rUA i • ing mysterious. "na, too, she cried, look- " What do you mean, Mercy ?" asked T »c,..ii .ui'^ MTriu" "a?; m"' '"'"""• ^^' '» ^^-^ '<> With a l»rb.d giancVL^'LT'''' ,"" """ "■"" go," returned Mercy wthS «'" ^" '***'""''*"'' ag. Mercy i„ ,hcs. ac.; of r„de"e«.» ^'"' ""'^ «"-"■ JcTZJZjf' " """O"'. and when y„„ do„^ is'worse a„r' "^°''='"'"« '" "«>« moods, and he ts worse and worse every week. And it's horrid of o dnve you away like this. Positively horr d " gets him A WOMAN'S PREFERENCE 7 " It's all right, girlie. I'm not the first man by a good many who has left his country for his lamily's good, even to climb the diplomatic ladder. And when I've got up a few rungs, as the father calls them, and can afiford to have an establishment, you shall come and boss it, and we'll have a high old time." " Yes, but that's just it, Nand." "What's just it?" " Why, of course, you're just the dearest brother in the world and awfully good at Spanish and all that, but I don't believe you'll be a bit of good as a diplomatist ; and you'll never get on enough to have any place for me to boss." " What a flatterer you are f For telling the beastly, barefaced, ugly truth, commend me to sisters," and I laughed. "But I believe you're right; and I shall probably never earn bread and cheese rind as a tactician. But I'll have a good time all the same." " Oh, isn't that like a man ! For sheer Christian un- selfishness, commend me to— brothers." " A fair hit, and a bull's-eye, too. But we've always been good chums, you and I, and what's the good of chums if they can't slang each other ? That's the test of chumminess, say I. I wish Cello was a bit of a chum for you." " Poor Cello," and Mercy smiled at the notion. " But I think the whole thing's just horrid," she added ; and for all her smiles she was not far off tears. That seems to be the way with girls of her sort; so I made some silly joke and laughed, and then kissed her and went off to the study. There was never anything jocular about my father ; and now I found him preternaturally grave and serious. 8 SARITA. THE CARLIST ."Vry3li! ZT^'l "• '.""'""" "" "•^"^on with • vtry ■olemn lecture about the .urt of mv car.,r .... «av. n,e heap, o, god advice, n,c„,io„.?fhr3;r«' allowance he could make mc-mall enough "r me ,o ;r.7^h'a:tt:ir;":^---"--: know „„ ,„^ ,.„„,^ ^.^^ .h.™.L; TL ai ■; «ncera. .ome relative, of our. i„ Madrid, ^i "a. Vou .b;;*a:'torhi"e„r''' """ '-'«"»«*-«•»"-«. " I .aid Madrid, Ferdinand ; and really yon eanno, learn too ««,» that concealment of .urBr°.^nH didactic man„.,lri a^nmrd'a't^^rly'.roJ'l «pr...,on, re«,lv.d tomak. no furth.r'S'^,u™ri« I" the .tory be what it might '"rpriM " Vou needn't look like a block of wood " ... hi "o' our.r '"' ' '"" ' *""•«■ ">" "« wlun dou'?ho" o7m: "•"Trfrct".''..'rco7 "r "" '"">'°» rtes been dead many years now, poor fellow and th. -ance had a taint of vulgarity u'nworth'; of the X^^: A WOMAN'S PREFERENCE o •«Ye8,.ilr." " Well, it was the result largely of a most extraor- dinary marriage he made. He was in Spain under an assumed name— the truth is he had made such a mess of things here that the family disowned him, and hav- ing, as you have, a splendid knowledge of Spanish, he took a Spanish name— Ramon Castelar. His own name was Raymond. The girl was of the powerful family of the Quesadas ; but knowing him only as an adventurer and being quite ignorant of his high birth, they turned their backs on him and wouldn't hear of a marriage. Raymond was a daredevil in his way, however, and the thing ended in a runaway match. A most unfortunate matter." My father spoke of it as a quite deplorable thing, but I admired my uncle as about the pluckiest Car- bonnell I had yet heard of. We all have our own points of view, however. "The end was a perfect tragedy, Ferdinand, an awful afifair. The Quesadas tried by every means to get your uncle's wife away from him and in the end ..ucceeded. He was in England at the time, and when he got back to Madrid, he found his wife shut up as a lunatic, his two children— a boy, Ramon, and a girl, Sarita, named after her mother— gc>ne and himself pro- scribed. These big Spanish families have enormous privileges, you know ; far greater than we have here. Well, he never saw her again. She died soon after, under most suspicious circumstances, and it seemed to quite break poor Raymond's life. He lived only for revenge, and became a moody, stern, utterly desperate man ; but he could not fight against them. He found one chance of partial revenge at the time of a Carlist lO SARITA, THE CARLIST ii I rising. He got hold of the children in some way ;~ and I'm bound to say, although he was my own brother, it was a most unfortunate thing for them. He died soon afterwards, but not before he had ruined the boy's character. The lad was to have been a priest — the Quesadas were seeing to that— but he broke through all control some years ago, and— well, they tell me there is scarcely a crime forbidden in the Decalogue he hasn't committed. The least of his offences is that he is a Carlist of the Carlists ; he has more than once attempted violence against the Quesada family, and— in fact I don't know what he hasn't done. What I do know is that he has involved his sister, Sarita, in some of his confounded Carlist plottings, and it seems to be a desperate entanglement altogether." " Do the Quesadas know of the relationship, sir ? " " No, no, thank goodness, no. At least I think and hope not. There's only one person in Madrid knows of that ; a Madame Chansette. She is a Quesada, it's true ; but she married against the family's wish. She married a wealthy Frenchman, but is now a widow, and she went back to Madrid some time ago, really to try and take care of Sarita. The family have behaved abomi- nably, I must say ; and from what she tells me there seems to be no doubt that they've appropriated all the children's fortune. Well, Madame Chansette has writ- ten several times, and lately has pressed me to go over and consult with her about the children's future. She is afraid there will be some big trouble ; and what you've got to do, Ferdinand, is just to take my place in the affair. I can't go, of course; and you've got a head on your shoulders if you like to use it : and you can just take a careful look into things and see what tiad best be done." A WOMAN'S PREFERENCE II " Then I suppose neither the brother nor sister knows about us ? " " God forbid," cried my father, fervently. " Unless, of course, Madame Chansette has told them. But she's a discreet woman, although she is Spanish ; and 1 don't think she'd be so stupid as to tell them." " It's a rum kettle of fish," I said, meditatively ; and my father winced at the expression. " What Lascelles said is rather true, you know, Fer- dinand. You are very slangy in your conversation. I really think, now that you have to climb the diplomatic ladder, you should try to curb the habit. Elegance of diction stands for so much in diplomacy." " It is certainly a very involved situation, sir, was what I meant," I answered, gravely. " That's much better, Ferdinand, and quite as ex- pressive. I wish to feel proud of you, my boy, and hope you will be very successful. I have great trust and faith in you, I have indeed, if you will only try al- ways to do your best." " I will try to be worthy of the trust, sir," I said, ear- nestly, for he was more moved than I had ever seen him. " I am sure you will, Ferdinand, God bless you ; " and he gave me his hand. Then I was guilty of an anti- climax. " I think I should like to say, sir, that I know, of course, the reason why my absence is desirable, and I hope that it will serve its purpose. I am not in the least troubled about going." " I am glad to hear that, my boy. Of course, Las- celles must make a wealthy marriage if possible. We've all known the— the limitations inevitable where 12 SARITA, THE CARLIST there's a title without adequate resources to maintain one's position. It makes such a difference in the world. And, of course, if the thing goes all right, as I trust it will, and you find Madrid unsupportable, why, you must come back. You know what a pleasure it always is to me to have you at home. But this is — is quite essential." My father was at that moment called away on som»* political business and our conference broke up. ^ opportunity of renewing it came in the next busy days of preparation ; and before the week was out I was on my way to Madrid, to the new career which promised no more than the humdrum routine of official work • but which, from the very instant of my arrival was destined to negative so sensationally all my anticipa- tions. My very entrance upon the scene of Madrid was in- deed through a veritable gate of hazard. CHAPTER II THE GATE OF HAZARD WHAT Lascelles had termed my years of va- grancy had had one educational effect—I un- derstood the art of travelling comfortably I thoroughly enjoyed my trip across France, and as I did not intend to take my profession too seriously, I broke my journey at Paris to renew some old and pleasant associations. I learnt a piece of news there which gave me much satisfaction. An old 'Varsity friend of mine, Silas Mayhew, the companion of many an unsacred adven- ture, had been removed from Paris to the Madrid Em- bassy ; and the renewal of our old comradeship was an anticipation of genuine pleasure, for our friendship was thoroughly sound, wind and limb. One incident prior to my leaving London I ought perhaps to mention— the little comedy of leave-taking with Mrs. Curwen. She and my sister had fixed it up between them, and I learned the shameless manner in which Mercy had been bribed to bring it about. After my semi-understanding with my father I felt myself in a measure bound not to do anything to inter- fere with the family scheme, and I told Mercy that I should not even call on Mrs. A. B. C.-our name for the widow. She betrayed me to her friend, however and when I wert into her sitting-room for an agreed 14 SARITA, THE CARLIST cup of tea and a chat on the clay before that of my departure, Mrs. Curwen was there chatting uncon- cernedly with Mercy, whose face was guiltily tell-tale in expression. "What an unexpected pleasure, Mr. Ferdinand,'* exclaimed the widow, laughing. " By whom ? " said I, as we shook hands. " What a thing it is to be a diplomatist, and to be able to say so much in just two words. But I can be frank. I mean unexpected to you, of course. Mercy told me you were actually going away on your wander- ings without saying good-bye to me— and I wasn't going to stand that. When some stupid mountain or other wouldn't go to Mahomet, Mahomet went to the mountain— like the very sensible person he was. And it was all the same in the end." " That * stupid mountain ' had no sister to give it away, Mrs. Curwen." " Mercy's just the dearest friend I have in the world. And now sit down and don't be disagreeable, and we'll have a jolly cosy little chat together, and you shall hear the news and advise us. What's the good of being an ambassador if you can't advise us ?" " Here's your tea, Nand ; " and Mercy handed it me with a glance, asking for forgiveness. I accepted the tea and the situation, as I do most good things in this world, complacently. " What advice do you want ? " "I want to know whether you think it would be quite a safe thing for Mercy to go to Madrid for a time, say — a month or two hence ? " Mercy looked down at the tea cups and laughed, I appeared to consider. THE GATE OF HAZARD 15 "Yes," I said, slowly. " Yes ; but I am afr:iid my father is not contemplating a trip of the kind. You see, his health is not of the best, and his engagements—" I was interrupted by a peal of laughter from the widow. " You are the drollest creature ! '• she cried. " Who said anything about Lord Glisfoyle ? " " I don't fancy Cello has much notion of going out cither-at least, not yet," and I pointed this with a look. " And you see, Mercy could hardly come out to me alone." "Me.../, I do believe he'll make a diplomatist after all. He talks that nonsense with such a perfectly solemn face," exclaimed Mrs. Curwen. "I suppose, Mr. Ferdinand, you haven't the ghost of an idea what I mean, have you ? or what we've been planning " " How could I ? But if you have any idea of Mercy commg out to Madrid with anyone but my father or Cello, I should say at once it would be quite unsafe and quite impracticable. There are a hundred reasons • but one's enough— the equivocal position of the whole Spanish question, owing to the unsettled relations with America." " Nand, you're incorrigible," cried Mercy ; but Mrs Curwen laughed and clapped her hands, for both saw the double meaning of my words. "I think that's most lovely. Let me get that sen- tence— « the equivocal position of the whole Spanish question, owing to the unsettled rciat'ons with Amer- ica'' And then say he won't make a diplomatist! Well, you must know that Mercy and I have already got our plans fixed up. She's going out with me. I suppose I can do as I like. And if I take a sudden i I* 'I ^6SARITA, THE CARLIST can? Loin: f '"'' ' '"^P"" ' "^^^ «°- ^nd if I can t go alone, I suppose I may take Mercy with me At any rate that's what I'm going to do. I tTke stuld bf" J"h''^ ^"' ''''' ''^'^''^ horrid you on y riitld'"' ".'' '" *^'^ ^^^^ ^"^ ^^^t it's on y nght and proper that you should have your sister out just to show people that you're not an Ishmael te among your own kith and kin. And as she musThave someone to look after her, I'm going too T^J." do less than that for my dearest friend '' " ' Mrs Cur"::, ^^'ij^ ''''' '° ^^^ -^'^ ^ ^-d, bv us an InH /h's^^s genuinely unexpected Dy us all, and apparently none too agreeable to m^ ?;c° "iu^M^T' ""'''' ' ^^°^" - h!s Cnlrw see him in Madrid soon • « ^"^^^^ °"' '<> Ferdinand say to that ? " ^''** ''^^^ "He's rather absurd over it I think. He savs THE GATE OF HAZARD 17 Madrid isn't a very safe place just now. Let me see, what was his reason ? Oh, I know— because of ' the equivocal position of the whole Spanish question, owing to the unsettled relations with America,' " and she looked up at him audaciously. "I think that's a very powerful reason," agreed Lascelles, solemnly ; he did not perceive the double application of the phrase. " There can be no doubt that the possible war with the States, and the attitude we have been compelled to adopt, might render the position of both American and English people in Madrid fraught with some danger. I think Ferdinand is quite right." He was so earnest that he was entirely sur- prised when Mrs. Curwen received his remark with a burst of hearty and very mischievous laughter. " I must he off," I said then, seeing the prudence of retreat. " I have lots to do. Good-bye, Mrs. Curwen. Take my advice and don't go to Madrid. You're much better off in London." '• Good-bye, Mr. Ferdinand— till we meet in Madrid ;" and the expression of her eyes was almost a challenge as we shook hands. She was a good-enough little soul, and pretty and fascinating, too, in her way ; but she did not appeal to me. I was perfectly sincere in my advice to her not to come out to Madrid, and the news of her marriage either with Lascelles or anybody else would not have disturbed me in the least. On my journey I thought over the incidents with no stronger feeling than that of a kind of neutral amuse- ment ; and although I would gladly have stopped in London for awhile and regretted sincerely the separa- tion from Mercy, the moving bustle of the journey, the '8 SARITA, THE CARLIST opening of a fresh page of experiences, the anticipa- .on of seemg my old friend, Mayhew, and the Sal wl ou/^e "h"'"?' "''* "^y ^^-"« instincfrand naving been the innocent cause of my exile and to wish my brother success in his venture MadrTd'atT ''" ^'''^''^ '' "'«'' '^^^'^^ ' ""ved in a room Jn^ , I ''' *° ""^''^ ^ ^'^^ telegraphed for my wont wt °r ;"^ f '"' "* '^^'^^^'^ ^"°^ding to scrutmy of a stranger. He passed me two or three times, each t.me scanning .ne and my luggage so in! He 1 '! T '^^' •"^"''^^ ^° ^'^ su's pic^^uf of h m welltesseH?' "'^J.^^etective, however, and was oo well dressed for a th.ef ; and he puzzled me. At last to my surprise, he came up, raised his hat and ad-' poTtrnlr '^ "^""^ •" ''''''''' -^^^ - ^-t show of diJaLTalntnt"' ^°"^ "^^^^ ^-^--"^ ^er- .Jn^r'l"'^ '"' ''• '^'^^ "^""^'^ on ^y luggage " sa.d I. I was not a diplomatist for nothing He bowed and smiled and gestured. "It is also here in my instructions ;" and he took from h.s pocket a sheet of notepaper from wh^ch he jread m Spanish. " Ferdinand Carbo n'ne.l, coming by the headded""7aT/'l°'^'°^^^ "^^'"^ -'^ 'his I.O Can-'d/v^ '''' ^°" '° accompany me to .^o. 150 Calla de Villanueva. May I ask you to do so ? " 1 well m.ght. Then it dawned on me that Mayhew had somehow heard of my arrival and had sent Wm THE GATE OF HAZARD 19 " Do you come from Mr. Silas Mayhew ? " •* No, Indeed. I am from Colonel Juan Livenza, at your service, senor." This with more shrugs, bows and smiles. ' " Thank you, but I don't know any Colonel Livenza. I can, however, call on him ; shall we say, to-morrow ? " "I was to say that the Senorita Sarita Castelar wishes to see you urgently. My instructions are, how- ever, not to press you to accompany me if you are un- willing ; but in that case to beg you to name the hotel to which you go, and where Colonel Livenza himself may have the honour of waiting upon you." " I still don't understand," I replied. I did not ; but the mention of the name of Sarita Castelar made a con- siderable impression upon me. " It is my regret I can explain no more. I thought perhaps you would know the urgency of the matter and that it might be the result of the telegram. But I am only a messenger." "Telegram ? " I cried, catching at the word. Could my father have had important news about theCastelars after I had left and have telegraphed to Madame Chan- sette to have me met ? It was possible, for he knew my route and the time I was to arrive. " What telegram do you mean ? " I asked. " Alas, senor, I know no hiore than I say. I pre- sume It is the telegram announcing your arrival. But I do not k low. If you prefer not to come, it is all one tome. I will say you are going to what hotel ? I was told It was very urgent. Pardon me that I have de- tained you." " Wait a moment. You say the matter is urgent for to-night?" 20 SARITA, THE CARLIST m " I do not know. I believe it is. I was instructed to tell you so. That is all." At that moment the hotel porter arrived, hot and flurried and apologetic for being late. An idea occurred to me then. '• Look here," I said to the porter ; " take my things to the hotel, and listen a moment. This gentleman has met me unexpectedly with a message from a Col. Livenza to go to No. 150, Calle de Villanueva. I am going there first, and do not expect to be detained long. If I am there more than an hour I shall need some fresh clothes. Come to that address, therefore, at half-past eleven, bring that portmanteau, and ask for me ; " and to impress him with the importance of the matter, I gave him a good tip. " Now, I am at your disposal," I said to the stranger. " You are suspicious, senor ? " he said, as we stepped into a cab. " Not a bit of it. But I am an Englishman, you know, an old traveller — and when I come off a journey I can't bear to sit for more than an hour without put- ting on a clean shirt." I spoke drily, and looked hard at him. " You are English ?" he said, with a lift of the eye- brows. " Some of the English habits are very sin- gular." " Yes, indeed ; some of us have a perfect passion for clean linen— so much so, in fact, that sometimes we actually wash our dirty linen in public." Not understanding this, he looked as if he thought I was half a lunatic ; but what he thought was nothing to me. If there was any nonsense at the bottom of this businesjs, I had arranged that the hotel people THE GATE OF HAZARD 21 should know of my arrival, and where to look for me ; I and my companion understood this. In the rumbling] I rattling, brute of a cab the clatter was too great for ut I to speak, and after one or two inefficient shoutings we I gave up the attempt, and I sat wondering what in the ' world the thing could mean. I was curious, but not in the least suspicious ; and when we drew up at an important-looking house, I followed my companion into it readily enough. The (hall was square and lofty, but ill-lighted, and the I broad stairway, up one flight of which he took me, equally gloomy. He ushered me into a room at the back of the house and left me, saying he would tell the I Colonel of my arrival. The room, like the rest of the house, was dimly j lighted, and the furnit ire heavy and shabby, and abomi- nably gloomy and dii . I was weary with my journey, and threw myself int., a big chair with a yawn and a wish that the business, whatever it might be, would soon be over. No one came for some minutes, and I lighted a cigarette and had smoked it half through, when my I impatience at this discourteous treatment got the bet- Iter of me, and I resolved to go in search of some Imeans of bringing this Col, Livenza to me. Then I Imade a disconcerting discovery. The door was locked lor bolted on the outside. I looked about for a bell, Ibut there was none. There was, however, another [door, and that I found unfastened. I had now had enough of this kind of Spanish hospi- |tality, and was for getting out of the house without my more nonsense. The second door opened into a room which was quite dark ; but as soon as my eyes "lad grown accustomed to the darkness, I made out a i « SARITA. THE CARLIST tliin streak of light at the far end, which told of another door, ajar. I crowed the room very cautiouily and slowly, lest in the darkness I should stumble over any furniture and was close to the door, when I was brought to a sudden halt by hearing my own name pronounced by a heavy, strident, and obviously angry voice. " I tell you, gentlemen, this Ferdinand Carbonnell is a traitor and a villain. He is playing a game of devil- «sh duplicity, pretending- to help the Carlist cause and mtnguing at the same time with the Government. He has come to Madrid now for that purpose. There are the proofs You have seen them, and can judge whether I have said a word too much in declaring him a danger, ous, damnable traitor." In the start that I gave at hearing this extraordi- nary speech, my foot struck a small table and over- turned ,t. Some kind of glass or china ornament standing on ,t fell to the ground, and the crash of the fall was heard by the men in the room, who flung the door wide open and came rushing in to learn the cause CHAPTER III CARLISTS A MAN does not knock about the world for noth- ing, and the one or two ugly corners I had had to turn in my time had taught me the value of thinking quickly and keeping my head in a crisis. I looked from one to the other of the men- there were three of them — and asked in a cool and level tone — "Is either of you gentlemen Colonel Livenza?" " I am. Who are you, and what are you doin£ h.ie?" " Considering the rather free use you've been making with my name, Ferdinand Carbonnell, and that I was brought here by someone who called himself your mes- senger — and, if I'm not mistaken, is now standing be- side you — and was left in a locked room yonder, that question strikes me as a little superfluous. Anyway, I shall be glad of an explanation," and I pushed on through the door into the lighted room. The men made way for me, and the moment I had passed shut and locked the door behind me. I affected to take no heed of this act, suggestive though it was, and turned to Colonel Livenza for his explanation. He was a dark, handsome fellow enough, somewhere about midway in the thirties ; a stalwart, upright, mili- fwy man, with keen dark eyes, and u somewhat fierce H' ■'' ■• i ^4SARITA, THE CARLIST expression-a powerful face, indeed, except for a weak sensual, and rather brutish mouth, but a very awkward' an agon.st. no doubt, in any kind 'of scrlZl^e One a d th! .rr^ '" "'° ""'^ '"^^ -^ -' the stat?r thou 'h tLt f T u ' ^"^ '^•^^^^"^ ^'-« 5 -^ "l wou f i he . "\^'^.^^^^^'- P^^'-^d -'th his looks, I wcnald rather have h,m .„ „,y p^y than among my ene- on^afLTsr''"'"'"' Carbonnell?" cried the Col- thaheelH?"'^ '' """ truculently, and with a gaze that seemed to me to be inspired by deep passion The note m his voice, too. was distinctly contemptuous" W at could have moved him to this UionTcouTd not, of course, for the life of me even guess. rapped you here if you prefer it-.o make you expla' n ■f you ca.,, your treachery to the Carlis. cause andTf you cannot explain it, to uke the consequence"" forcfblv^rh!?'""''""' °' "' "•"" '"'"S «™^k ">= so drlmati rlnT "'°""'"'' .""" "'' "aggerated and melo. rnau.hedar;;:srd-"^'^ ""' "' --"-" " Really this is farce, not trajredv senor T ho never seen you before ; I kuo. no't, fi!;^"";:^ ^ '^ affairs ; I am not a Carlist, and never have been 1 an. frl" ,"";"'■ •■"' "" '''^lisl-an; I have "st'co™" from London ; and I assure you, on myhonou .san Enghshman, that you are labouring under a com^ ete CARLISTS 25 mistake as to myself. I beg you, then 01 e, to put an end to a false position, and allow me t . have, [be- fore you make any further disclosures whi.n may com- promise you and these other gentlemen." Whether this declaration would have had any paci- fying effect upon him had I not prefaced it with my ill-advised laughter I cannot say ; but the laugh seemed to goad him mto a paroxysm of such uncontrollable rage that he could barely endure to hear me to the end and when I ended, he cried, in a voice positively thick and choking with fury "You are a liar, a smooth-tongued, hypocritical cowardly liar ; and having done your dirty traitor's work, you seek to cheat us by these lies. I know them to be lies." This was unendurable. However much the person for whom this angry fool mistook me deserved this flood of abuse, it was certain that I didn't, and I wasn't going to put up with it. The quarrel, which belonged obviously to somebody else, was fast being foisted on to me, but no man can stand that sort of talk, and my temper began to heat up quickly. I moved a pace or two nearer, to be within striking distance, and then gave him a chance of retracting. " I have explained to you that you have made a mis- take, and in return you call me a liar. I repeat you are entirely m error, and I call upon you. whoever you are to withdraw your words unconditionally, make such enquiries as will satisfy you of your blunder, and then apologise to me. Otherwise " He listened with a smile on his face, and shrugged ^'s shoulders contemptuously, at my unfinished ^^-u- tence. f 26 SARITA, THE CARLIST " Well, otherwise ? I tell you again you are a liar and a perjured traitor to the cause." I raised my fist to strike him in the face, when the two others interposed, thrust me back and away from him with considerable violence, and then covered me with their revolvers. " No, no ; none of that," growled one of them, threateningly. "You've done enough harm already.' If what we believe is true, you're not fit for that kind of punishment. We'll deal with you, for the cursed pig you are." I was not such a fool as to argue against two loaded revolvers levelled dead at my head and held within a yard. But it struck me that Colonel Livenza was not altogether satisfied with the interruption, and that he had some kind of personal interest in the affair which was apart from the motives of his companions. " Do as you will," I said, after a second's thought. " And do it quickly. The people at the hotel to which I was going know where I have cinne. I told them ; and a messenger will be here shortly from there." I intended this to frighten them ; and for the moment it did so. But in the end it acted merely as a warning, and gave them time to concoct a lie with which to get rid of the hotel porter when he arrived. One of them kept me covered with his pistol while the others talked together and referred to some papers which lay on a table. Then the man who had met me at the station, and whom I judged to be in some way the Colonel's inferior, turned to me with the papers in his hand, and began to question me. '•You admit you are Ferdinand Carbonnell ? " " My name is Ferdinand Carbonnell ; I am an CARLISTS a; Englishmar, the son of Lord Glisfoyle, an English nobleman, and I have come to Madrid from London to join " "Enough; you are Ferdinand Carbonnell. You have just come from Paris, haven't you ?" "I came through Paris, from London." A sneer showed that he regarded this admission as a contradic- tion of my previous statement. " Paris is on the direct route from London," I added. " And on the indirect route from a thousand other places," he retorted. "Your only chance is to stick to the truth. You shall have a fair trial, and it will go less hard with you if you speak the truth. I am Felipe Corpola, and this is Pedro Valera— you will know our names well enough," "On the contrary, I never heard your names until this mstant, nor that of Colonel Livenza until it was told me at the station." "Santa Maria! what a lie!" exclaimed the third man, Valera, in a loud aside ; and by this I gathered they were two Carlists prominent enough to be fairly well-known in the ranks of that wide company. " On the 2oth of last month you were at Valladolid two days later at Burgos, and two days later still at Saragossa, urging that a rising should take place there simultaneously with that planned at Berga two months hence in May." "I have not been at either of those places for three years past. At the dates you mention I was in London ; and I warn you that you are giving me information which may prove very compromising for you and those associated with you. I am no Carlist." My protestation was received with fresh symptoms of utter disbelief 28 SARITA, THE CARLIST ){ i li a m "You were to go to Paris in connection with the funds needed for the enterprise ; the two leaders chosen to go with you to receive the money were Tomaso Garcia and Juan Narvaez ; and a list of the names of all the leaders in the matter was given to you." " This is all an absolute blunder," I cried, indig- nantly. " I know nothing whatever of a jot or tittle of it." " I warned you not to lie," cried Corpola, sternly. " This is all proved here in black and white under your own name ; " and he flourished before me some docu- ments. " This is the charge against you and explain J' if you can. Almost directly afterwards our two comrades, Garcia and Narvaez, disappeared ; nearly the whole of the men whose names were on that list given to you were arrested at one swoop by the Government ; and a secret information in your hand- writing together with the original list of the leaders found their way into the hands of the Government. Explain that act of foul treachery if you can"— and his voice almost broke with passion—" or may the Holy Mother have more mercy on you than we will have." The intense earnestness and passion of the man were a proof of his sincerity, and also of the danger in which I stood. The whole thing was a mad mistake, of course; but that I could prove it in time to stop them taking the steps which I could see they con- templated was far less clear ; and for the moment I was nonplussed. Up to that instant I had been so confident the mistake would be discovered that I had felt no misgivings as to the issue. But the sight of Corpola's burning indignation, his obvious conviction it. C A R L I S T S 29 that I was the man who had been guilty of the act which had so moved him, and my intuitive recognition that his fanaticism made him really dangerous, disturbed me now profoundly. "Speak, man, speak," he cried, stridently, when I stood thinking in silence. "I can only say what I have said before, that it is all a horrible mistake. I am not the man you think me." '^You are Ferdinand Carbonnell, you have admitted "I am not the Ferdinand Carbonnell you accuse of treachery." " What ! Would you fool us with a child's tale that there are two Ferdinand Carbonnells? Can your wits so subtle and quick in treachery spin no cleverer defence than that ? By the Virgin, that one so trusted should smk so low ! All shame to us who have trusted so poor a thing! Can you produce the list that was given you, or tell us something to let us believe that at the worst it was filched from you when you were drunk and so conveyed to the Government. Anything, my God, anythmg, but the blunt fact that we have M^'^f'lu"'''' ^ treacherous beast as a man who would deliberately sell his comrades." The sight of his passion tore me as a harrow tears and scarifies the ground. ^ "Jhat I have told you is the truth. I am not the ^uJ^J^ a lie ; a damnable lie, and you are the paltry filthy dog of a coward that you were called and shall have a dog's death. What say you, Valera ? " " He is guilty ; serve him as he has served our com- 30 SARITA, THE CARLIST m fit' f- •■i i i rades," growled the brute, with a scowl, taking some of the other's vehement passion into his more dogged, sluggish nature. " Colonel, you are right. He is the traitor you de- clared, and I give my voice for his death. Aye, and by the Holy Cross, mine shall be the hand to punish him ; " and he raised it on high and clenched it while the fury of his rage flashed from his eyes, flushed his mobile swarthy face, and vibrated in his impetuous, vindictive utterance. I had never seen a man mere completely overwhelmed by the flood of passion ; and for the moment I half expected him to turn his pistol on me tiiere and then and send a bullet into my brain. Colonel Livenza appeared also to have some such thought for he put himself between us. " We must be cautious, Corpola," he said, and drew him aside to confer apparently as to the best means of dealing with me, Valera meanwhile keeping me covered with his revolver. What to do I could not think. I made no show of resistance ; that was clearly not my cue at present ; but I had no intention of giving in without a very des- perate attempt to escape ; and I stood waiting for the moment which would give me the chance I sought, and planning the best means. By hook or crook I must get possession of one of the revolvers, and I watched with the vigilance of a lynx for an opportunity. I was a stronger man than either of the three and my muscles were always in excellent trim, and in a tussle on equal terms I should not have feared the result of a scrim- mage with two of them. Unarmed, however, I vas completely at their mercy ; and hence my anxiety. The Colonel and Corpola were conferring together. CARLISTS 31 arguing with much energy and gesture when someone knocked. The door was opened cautiously and I heard someone say that the porter from the hotel had brought my bag and had asked for me. The -a was another whispered conference, and then a message was sent in my name to the effect that I was not going to the hotel that night and probably not on the next day, as I had been called away. I would send for my luggage later. I protested vehemently against this, but my protest was disregarded ; and I suffered a keen pang of morti- fication at seeing my precaution quietly checkmated m this way. It impressed upon me more vividly than anything else could have done the reality of the peril in which I stood. When the messenger left, the discussion between the Colonel and Corpola was resumed, and I began to eye my guard more closely than ever, for some sign that his vigilance was sufficiently relaxed to enable me to make a spring upon him and seize his weapon. But just when I was in the very act of making my effort another interruption came from without. There was a second knocking at the door, this time hurried and agitated, and a voice called, urgently and vehe- mently, "Colonel Livenza, Colonel Livenza ! I must see you at once." It was a woman's voice, and the three men were ob- viously disturbed at it. " Quick, you two. Take him into the next room," said Livenza, in a whisper. Corpola and Valera seized me, and each menacing me with his revolver and pressing the barrel close against my head, led me into the dark room adjoining, k .i ( i J 3^SARITA. THE CARLIST Livenza opening the door and closing it again the in sunt we had passed, ^ '"' Coro^olf ^fi'/*"!"'^"''" '°'' y°" y°"^ Hfe," whispered favour as I could expect to have them. It was lot a pleasant experience to stand between two desperlte fanat.cs ma dark room with their pistols pressed cose to my head ; but it was obvious that I had only totrk ceedmgly d.fficult for my guards to regain their advan- Despite my awkward plight I was hopeful now for '^m::rT''' ^""'""^ ^^^^ exciLen" ' What IS the meanmgof all this?" I whisoered • des.gn.ng merely to get them off their guard "That' was a woman's voice." «"«»ru. mat ;; Silence ! " said Corpola, in a fierce whisper. shouLZ^^"'^^"^^-^^-^^'^^^^^«'-.ofmy me two men, and for half a second the pressure of th. suffic.ent for me. I slipped my head back from betwlen ":.r uiVaVd^r^rt thr ^"'- --^^^ ^^"- then turning on Valelt^^tL'^roft^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ o;he7"'7;" "^ '''' ^^"^' -"^ht his t ^o^t S e other, and dragged him across the room scatter n^ cha.rs and tables and hrir- a u^ • scattering havin? wrest^H hfc ^"''-a-brac .n my course, and av.ng wrested h.s weapon from him, flung him kway CARLISTS 33 from me Into t e darkness. Then I fired the revolver and sent up a shout for help that echoed and re-echoed through the room. A loud cry in a woman's voice followed, then the sound of an excited altercation in high tones, the door of the room I had just left was thrown open and Colonel Livenza and a woman's figure showed in the frame of light. "Have a care," I called. «I am armed now and desperate. But at that moment there was the flash and report of a pistol fired close to me and Corpola from behind, threw himself on me. I had twice his strength, however, and my blood being up I turned on h.m savagely, and. untwisting his arms, seized him by TuaT'u J^^''""^ ^'^*"'* '"*«'^' '^o™* to his aid. dashed his head against the wall with violence enough to stun him. Then jumping to my feet again and still having my revolver, I rushed to square matters with Livenza himself, who alone stood now between me and freedom. At that instant the woman spoke. "You are Ferdinand Carbonnell. Have no fear You are quite safe now. I came here on your account " The words were good to hear in themselves ; but the voice that uttered them was the most liquid, silvery and moving that had ever fallen on my ears ; and so full of earnest sincerity and truth that it commanded instant confidence. As she spoke she stepped back into the room and I saw her features in the light. To my surprise she was no more than a girl ; but a girl with a face of surpass- ang beauty of the ripest southern type, and her eyes 34 SARITA, THE CARLIST large, luminous, dark brown glorious eyes, rested on my face with a look of intense concern and glowinjr interest. * " You will not need that weapon, Senor Carbonnell," she said, glancing at the revolver I still held. " I am convinced of that," I answered, smiling, and tossed it on to the table. "I thank you. You trust me," she said, with a smile, as she gave me her hand. " I am Sarita Cas- telar, this is my good aunt, Madame Chansette ; Col- onel Livenza, here, is now anxious to make amends to you for the extraordinary occurrences of to-night." He was standing with a very sheepish, hang-dog expression on his face, and when she looked at him r saw him fight to restrain the deep feelings which seemed to be tearing at his very heart du-ing the few moments he was fighting down his passion. He looked at me with a light of hate in his eyes, crossed to the door and threw it open. sullenl ^ ^^""^ ""^^^ ^ "'^*^''* ^ '■^^*' '*'" ^^ ^*'^' "Senor Carbonnell will give his word of honour I know, not to speak of anything that has happened here to-night," said the girl. "Willingly. I pledge my word," I assented, di- rectly. ' " Then we will go. Our carriage is waiting ; will you let us take you to your hotel ? " And without any further words we left the room and the house, Sarita insisting that I should lead Madame Chansette while she followed alone, having refused the Colonel's escort U CHAPTER IV SARITA CASTELAR THE rapid kaleidoscopic change in the situation, and the surprising means by which it had all been brought about, were so profoundly as- tonishing that for a time I was at a loss for words to thank the wonderful girl who had come to my rescue. The palpitating actuality of imminent danger; the ve- hemence of Corpola's wild, fanatical passion ; the tension as I stood in the dark room waiting for the moment to strike ; the exertions of the two desperate struggles which followed, and then the sudden transi- tion to the perfect assurance of safety which followed the mtervention of Sarita Castelar, were succeeded by some minutes of reaction. I could not instantly rec- oncile myself to a return to the atmosphere of every- day commonplace. The mere utterance of an ordinary formula of thanks seemed so inadequate to the occasion that I sat still and silent as we dashed through the now nearly-de- serted streets, thinking over the whole mystery and wondenng what could possibly be the clue. Before I had collected my wits the carriage drew up with a jerk at the hotel. " I have not thanked you," I said, feebly. "You can do that another time if you think thanks are necessary. We shall be at home to-morrow after- r»" 'l! m 36 SARITA, THE CARLIST Will you cume But you know noon. There is much to explain, then ? 28, in the Flaza del Nuovo. where we live." " Yes, come, Senor Carbonnell," said Madame Chan- sette, "I am anxious to speak with you— most anxious." •• My dear aunt is in sore need of diplomatic advice to control her turbulent niece," suid Sarita, laughing. " We shall expect you, mind." •* I shall certainly come," I answered, eagerly. " But I want " " No, no, not to-night. Everything to-morrow. Good-night ; " and she held out her hand and dis- missed me. I stood staring blankly after the carriage, and then walked into the hotel feeling much like a man in a dream, dazzled by the beauty of the girl who had ren- dered me this inestimable service ; and when I reached my room I threw open my window, gazed out over the moon-lit city, and steeped my senses in a maze of be- wildering delight as I recalled the witchery of her inspiring voice, the glances of her lustrous, wonderful V .■«. 3, and the magnetic charm of her loveliness. At that moment the thoughts dearer to me than all else in the world were that she was so interested in me that she had done all this for my sake, that she was my cousin whose future and fortune her guardian wished me to protect and, above all, that I was to see her again on the morrow, and for many morrows. Madrid had become, instead of a place of exile, a veritable city of Blessed Promise. How long I gazed out into the moonlight and rhapso- dised in this fashion I do not know ; but I do know Mil SARITA CASTELAR 37 that I had a sufficient interval of lucid commonsenKc to be conscious that I had fallen hopelessly in love with my cousin at first sight, and it was a source of rarest ecstasy to picture in fancy the great things I would achieve to serve her, and to hope that a chance of do- ing 8o;ue of them would come my way. And when I got into bed and fell asleep it was to dream that I was doing them. I am not exactly a rhapsodist by nature ; and the lapse into wistful dreaminess had all the charm of the unusual for me ; but the morning found me in a much more practical frame of mind. I reviewed coolly the strange events which had heralded my arrival in Madrid, and certain points began to trouble me ; that there should be someone of doubtful repute of the same name as my own, and that so glorious a creature as Sarita Castelar should be deeply mixed up with Carlists of such a desperate character as those who had menrced my life. Those were the matters which needed to be cleared up first, and I would ask her freely about them that afternoon. But in the meantime prudence warned me to hold my tongue about everything. I went to the Embassy to report myself, and after- wards had lunch and a long chat with my old friend, Mayhew. His knowledge on all matters and persons in Madrid was quite cyclopaedic, and he told me a hun- dred and one things that would be useful for me to know. I need only refer to two subjects. We were speaking of Spanish politics when he mentioned a name that kindled suddenly all my interest. " The man of the hour here is Sebastian Quesada, the Minister of the Interior," he told me. " He is out- t^^ 38 SARITA, THE CARLIST mettTnH TuT' ''°"^''''"' '"'^"^^^ °f *he Govern- ment, and, I believe, a most dangerous man. He plays or nothing but his own hand, and allows nothing S s and m h.s way. The most ghastly stories are told of h.m ; and I believe most of them are true, while all of hem m,ght be. He will court you, fawn on you threaten you, promote you. anything in the world so o him' o'r T 77°"'.^"^ '"^^ '-^-nt you are useless to him or stand m his way, he kicks you out of it ruins you, treads you in the gutter, imprisons you o .' Ld ^f '' " convenient bullet planted In ;ou head or a knife m your heart You smile, but he has done It in more instances than one. He s piling up money fast by the most disreputable and dirde"? methods ; and Heaven and himself only know how setcl "'b" ': \' '^T'^ --- - hiLvarice and secrecy But he has what so few in this strange ackadaisical country possess-indomitable wm and tireless energy If you come his way, Carbonne^t give h.m as wide a berth as you can ; or, look to yourfdf And If ever you have to cross swords with him arrlnee your affairs, make your will, and prepare fo LTlufe before you start on the expedition " " I have heard of him," I said "Europe will hear of him, to"o, unless some one of his victims gets a chance to assassinate him. If thU were a Republic, he would be President, and his po icy would be pretty much like that of the Moors-h^d make h.s position permanent by killing off every pos Republic." ''' ""' ''^ '"' ^"^''^^"' °^ - Spanish And this was the man who had filched the Castelar's SARITA CASTELAR 39 patrimony, and it was to be part of my task to try and force him to disgorge it I A hopeful prospect. "By the way, do you know a Colonel Livenza ?•' I asked. "I knowofhim-Colonel Juan Livenza, you mean There's not much to know about him. He's a cavalry officer of good family, held in fairly high esteem and said to be a man of exemplary life. A royalist of the royalists; a bigot in his loyalty indeed, they say ; and like all bigots, narrow-creeded and narrow-minded. A follower of Quesada, and either a believer in him or a tool. Presumably, Quesada hasn't yet had need to use him and get rid of him. But that day will come. Livenza is pretty much of a fanatic in his religion, his politics, and his militarism ; and like all fanatics, 'has to be watched, because one lobe of the brain is always too big for the skull, and may lead him into danger. At present, indeed, it is sometimes whispered that he has a much more dangerous fanaticism than politics or religion— a passion for that turbulent little revolution- ary beauty, Sarita Castelar. Now, Carbonnell, if you want a type of perfect Spanish beauty " " I know of her," I interposed, having no wish to hear his comments. " Her guardian, Madame Chan- sette, and my father are old acquaintances." " Oh, well, keep your coat buttoned up and well padded on the left side with non-conducting substance when you come under the fire of the brightest eyes in Madrid. And keep your own eyes open, too," he said with a glance and a laugh. ' I did not think it necessary to tell him how nearly his words touched me, and I am glad to say my looks kept the secret as closely as my lips. But I thought 1 » wv f. i 40 SARITA, THE CARLIST beating .ue^WtLiTatar' 'T"" "^ """ I was conscious of a IUU« H *"■ """"^^y- found Madame ChanLte 1 1° "^""'"1°' """ ' o/Wve^cordia, .c,co:e^r:;oTlra;;,tar"'''" -.and.o.da,is..er:lr;---^ "He told me something before T Ufi- r ^ times." '^^ ' "'" """J' "^dfully afraid at "J- q"it. fie'y what ITf r°' "" J""" ««'"k. «<> d^esX-dt "redt: :!t'a";f' -* "■• " i» getting'so i voTv^d 'e A sl^"' °'. ^''"'"'- «"■■= as I suppose you kno. ^. f ?• " * '''■"'''"' Ca"-««, ^^^^ P-i-retr^i'a^;^-:- f-" r • wm eX r'atL" t^o rr f - ^•'"^" «- <' n.ined;''andshesth,H h ' """ "" ^''"" =" be a«.st„;e of des^ai!;^ ' "'' '°"='' "^ "" "^""^ >""• SARITA CASTEL^R 41 " But women are not taken very seriously in politics here, are they ? " I asked. " This is not politics, Mr. Carbonnell ; it is con- spiracy. The child worries her pretty head from morn- ing to night, from one week to another, with all sorts of p!ots and plannings— I don't know a quarter of them —and Heaven be thanked I don't, or I should be in my grave. And then there's her brother. You know Ramon is really dangerous, and does awful things. I wouldn't have him here— but then, thank Heaven, he daren't show his face in Madrid. As if he, a yoling fellow, little more than a boy, silly enough to commit himself so deeply with the Carlists that he is actually compelled to keep in hiding, and fly about from place to place, always dodging the police ai. J the soldiers, could hope to fight successfully with a powerful man like my nephew, Sebastian Quesada. I tell them both —at least, I tell Sarita, and I suppose she manages to communicate somehow with Ramon, for really she does some wonderful things— I tell them both they had much better give up all thought of trying to get back their fortune. He'll never give up a peseta. I sup- pose I know my own brother's child's nature. I'm a Quesada— you know that, I think— and I tell them that they might as soon expect to be King and Queen of Spain as to make Sebastian disgorge what he has once got hold of. Besides, there is no need. I have plenty for them both ; and who should have it, if not my dear sister's children ? At least, Ramon must really behave better if he wishes to regain my favour." Madame Chansette was as voluble as she was incon- sequential, and it was not until I questioned her closely that I could get any grasp of the case. She talked to 42 SARITA, THE CARLIST me at great length, apparently much relieved to have someone into whose ear she could pour the tale of her troubles, and on whom she thought she could lean for support in them. I could get few definite facts. Madame Chansette told me, as my father had done, that Ramon had been intended by his family for the priesthood, but had broken his vows, and had plunged into a life of dissipa- tion, and had attempted to get a reckoning with Sebas- tian Quesada and recover his and Sarita's fortune. He was a wild, passionate lad, no match for Quesada in any respect, and had been driven by his passion to make two attempts on his enemy's life. As a result he had been proscribed, arid had to live in hiding. He had then become a Carlist of the most violent kind, a veri- table firebrand ; moving from place to place under assumed names, and stirring up rebellion in all direc- tions. He had also drawn his sister into his schemes and she had so compromised herself that Madame Chansette had written in the last extremity to my father to beg him to intervene. " There must be some man's capable head in the matter or we shall all be ruined," she exclaimed dis- mally five or six times ; although what the "man's capable head " was to do to restrain the very wilful beauty was not clear. Maaame Chansette, as it seemed to me, meant that she was tired of the sole responsibil- ity, and wished to share it with someone who could be blamed if matters went wrong. '•The position is a very difficult one," I admitted. Of course, I told her you were coming ; that Lord W.sfoyle was as much her guardian as anyone, and tuat. as you were representing him, you wpuld have SARITA CASTELAR 43 authority yourself. You do agree with me, don't you, that she ought to give up this— this dangerous mis- chief, and just try to play a woman's legitimate part and get married ? Of course, if you don't think that, your coming will only make matters worse than they were before ; but I'm sure you will. You must have seen for yourself in that affair last night, whatever the meaning of it all was, how dangerous this conduct is, and how sure to lead to mischief." " Have you told Sarita that you yourself would leave Madrid if she did not do.as you wish ?" " My dear Mr. Carbonnell, how could I ? " cried the dear, weak old lady, apparently aghast at the notion. "How could I possibly leave the sweet child here alone? What would she do without me? Besides, how could I ? Why, she rules me just as she rules everyone else who comes in contact with her. She wouldn't let me go ; " and she smiled so sweetly and feebly—" and I love her so. No o.ie can help it. It would kill me to leave her." As this was somewhat difficult of reply, I said nothing ; and after a few seconds she glanced at her watch and exclaimed — " Oh, dear, my time is all but up, and I fear I have got so little way with you," Seeing my perplexed ex- pression, she laughed, and added: "Of course, my seeing you alone first is Sarita's arrangement. She does the drollest things. She declared that she would give me every chance of persuading you to side with me, and that she would not say a word of any kind to you to influence you until you and I had had an hour's private conferente. And now, what will you do, Mr. Carbonnell ? " and she put her white, thin hand on my arm, and looked quite eagerly into my face. 44 SARITA, THE CARLIST "I will promise to serve you to my utmost, Madame Chansette," I said. "Spoken like an Englishman and a diplomatist »' exclaimed the voice that had so thrilled me on the precedmg night ; and, turning, I saw Sarita had entered the room unperceived. "You would make poor con- spirators, you two. for you've been plotting against me with an open door," she added, coming forward. She looked even more lovely than on the previous mght, and she gave me as warm a welcome as had Madame Chansette-put both her hands into mine and held them, without a touch of self-consciousness, as she gazed frankly and searchingly into my eyes She appeared satisfied with a scrutiny that was rather em- barrassing to me, and smiled as she withdrew her hands. " Yes, I am glad you have come, cousin Ferdinand I suppose I may call him cousin Ferdinand, aunt Mercedes ? I don't know how you do in more formal England, but we Spaniards are quicker in the use of the christian name," she added to me. « I wanted to look closely at you. It is a new thing for me to have a male relation who may be a friend-or an enemy, such as my dearest aunt here. I have only Ramon, whose friendship ,s more dangerous at times than another man s enmity would be ; and my other cousin. Sebastian Quesada. The tone in which she uttered the name was intensely significant. "Yes. yes. I am satisfied. I am glad you have come. You are true. You trusted me instinctively last night ; and I will trust you always My impressions are never wrong. But you will not find me tractable any the more for that ; I mean in my dear, dear, dearest auuf s sense of the word," and SARITA CASTELAR 45 "I will try to deserve your words of welcome cous,„ s«iu •' I said .arn/sUy. ba. consci" Ta clogging tongue. * "I hope so-for you are one of those men who always succeed when they really try. But you hive already promised to serve this dear, dreadful, tyrln! nous lovmg enemy of mine. So take care ; " and she e«e :nd°''lr," t* "^^ '^"^'"^ ^^ Mad'am Chi "you arVr 7'"u"°'* comfortably in her chair. You are to show that 'capable man's head' which aunt Mercedes is never tired of declaring is so much needed m our affairs" «;h*ca«.^ i « " *" ™"cn Chansett^ JZi. l\ 7 ^' ^°''" ^^°^^ *° Madame Chansette and took her hand. « I am a sad rebel am I not, httle tyrant ? " ' ™ JrHi^'^'"'^ '°''*'y°" '° ""'^^' I should be a far bet- " A^f i;^7°?' ''"''" "^^ ^•'^ --P'y-spoken re;y. Aye, with a love as sweet and tolerant and true as a mother's," said Sarita, softly. « So sweet that i makes even rebelHon like mine difficult and hard a times You must know, cousin Ferdinand, that we are tnTlT ".^- "";; '" ^" ""'' °- love-lwhlch not" ng can ever disturb or threaten-we are like the poles so far apart are our tastes, our principles, our ways our aims, our lives, everything. You can think there ore, how we have discussed you. At first aunt Me .' ced s said Lord Glisfoyle would come ; and then I was not mterested. I knew whaf a mo« ^t u- sav to m*. . ^nH Ik ^" °^ h's y^*'"s would say to me ; and there was nothing before me but flat dogged rebellion. But when we knew that he was not' coming and you were to come in his place-ah tha was different indeed. I warned my de'arest that he f *. 46 8ARITA, THE CARLIST last hope was gone; that youth—even diplomatic youth— would side with youth, and that if she looked to you for help in her plans, she would be disappoin^d. We discussed you, analysed you, weighed you, thought of you, talked of you, and, I think, each resolved to win you. I did ; " and she smiled frankly. "Sarita!" exclaimed Madame Chansette, protest- ingly. " You must have mercy on Mr. Carbonnell. He does not know you." " I will have no mercy where he is concerned. You would not have me spare you the truth, or hide how much we were interested in you ? " she cried to me. " Why should you not know how much you have been in our thoughts, seeing how much you were to influence our lives ? I will deal with you perfectly frankly." " I may hold you to that pledge," I interposed. "Oh yes, I will tell you everything, presently. But I was so sure of you that I readily agreed Aunt Mer- cedes should have the first interview with you to poison your ears and prejudice your judgment against me— if this dearest and best 4 mothers to me could prejudice anyone against me. And, you see, I was right— she has not succeeded ; " and she flashed a glance of chal- lenge at me. " Have I already shown my thoughts ? " I asked. " How gravely judicial and impartial you would be," she retorted. " But I can go even farther. I can put my good aunt's case with greater force than she would put it, I am sure, and yet be confident. X am a Carlist; I am saturated with a love of liberty ; I am in league with many dangerous men ; I am fighting against a hopelessly powerful antagonist ; I am steering a course that aims at achieving ideal happiness for my country, SARITA CASTELAR 47 but much more probably may achieve nothing but utter shipwreck for myself ; I have an unruly ambition ; I am learning to be a man ; to think of, hope for, work for the objects of men ; I am daring to lead where I should scarcely venture to follow ; I am even mad enough to take ideals to my heart and to strive for them ; and this best of women believes that in daring to take a man's part I run a risk of ceasing to be a woman. She would have me lay down the task, break with my ideals, leave my country to those who now misrule it, and fly- to safety. Do you think I should do this ? or if I should that I shall?" ^ " Before I answer I will hear your own side," I said quietly. * "Ah, there spoke an Englishman— a man with a microscope, to examine, try, inspect, measure, and com- pare this with that, and that with this, before you ven- ture an opinion. What a wonderful thing is English discretion. But you shall hear it." Madame Chansette rose at that, and Sarita rose too, and took her arm tenderly and, as it were, pro- tectingly. " I will leave you. Sarita will speak freely, Mr. Car- bonnell ; but remember she is steering for shipwreck— her own words." They went away together then, and presently Sarita came back alone. "You will think ours a strange household and a stranger partnership. But for all our conventionality we love each other as if we were mother and daughter ; and I know how much I make that dear heart suffer at times." She paused, and then said : " And so you are the real Ferdinand Carbonnell. You were surprised to find 4S SARITA, THE CARLIST your^ame «, well known in Madrid ? To me among.t •; Tell me what that mean./' I Mid. --eltrrtr.r^p'S: "•*' ^""'^°"-"^'" -' ^'^^ 1' J? ***:" "*•"« ' Used by whom ? " than you7seir ^^'^^^^--^^ Carbonnell in all Spain Carbonnelir ' '' " ^ "^' ''^^ >•**' ^^'^^''^nd haff^H '"k""'*^ *' ""^ P""'*^ ^*" ^ith a half whimsical -wee? m'r^ r^""'°"' '^"^ ^"^ burst into one o her sweet, musical, witching laujrhs "You .h»ii u everything," she said. ^*" ''"°'' fl Sl^j CHAPTER V THE EXPLANATION SARITA did not speak for gome time but sat with tuZl no"'''';' '"^' °" ^''^ '*« -".' h she turned now and again toward me, as thoueh some point .n her reverie had been reached whiS concerned me and made her doubtful " Sorry for what ? " I asked. " If it concerns m^ -. "I am sorry that we used your name. Had I known what manner of man you were, nay could I even have guessed you would ever come o M;drid I would never have sanctioned it." «»aana, i " Suppose you tell me what the thing means. I am ;:L^ quick, and I confess to bei'ng ver^ much "It means that part of what you heard last night is asecr Head "'""' C-bonnell is a Carlist leatl a secret leader, you understand-but held for one of I A^d v\?r"''"^^"*^'^"^ capable of them 50 SARITA, THE CARLIST " I don't tee that that need dlitres. you or disturb me very wriou.ly, whatever the puxile may mean. pui" leT" * ^^^ ' "*"*' *''•" *"• ®"* '"*»* •• '*»'• Jl " °r **"* \ •'* ^°" ^ ''°°^ **»*^ ''^ »»*^« wronged you, ihe cried, vigorously. " The weight of even that responsibility need not prevent your speaking plainly. Let me hear about it. It .very l.kely I shall enjoy it a. much as you have probably up till now-I am not exactly like othe^ men m all respects. I'm no stickler for convention, aitties. " Ferdinand Carbonnell, the Carlist leader, is really an embodiment of Ramon's and my Carlism. Let me tell you the truth. So long as I have known that your father, Lord Glisfoyle, was my uncle^nd Aunt Mercedes told me some two years ago-I have bitterly resented his conduct in ignoring us, leaving us to bear the mjust.ce of these Quesadas, our ofher relatives, and treating us, his brother's children, a. though we were outcasts, pariahs, unworthy of his aristocratic recognition." ' - You have wronged my father, cousin. I believe he has always held it his business to know that matters were well with you." •"»«ers .h"^uru"* ^°" ''''''' ^ *=*" »>«''eve that. But I thour:ht that some little trouble on his part, for a boy needs a man's hand, would ha . made my brother's life a far better one. We Spaniards, too, are quick to anger-and do not always stay to think. I grew to hate the names of Glisfoyle and Carbonnell; and when Ramon's great trouble came, when his wildness drove him to seek Sebastian Quesada's life and he THE EXPLANATION 51 failed, and was proscribed and had to Uke another name, he and I together choie yours— Ferdinand Carbonnell It was Spanish enough to pass for the name of a Spaniard ; and we took a deiight-malicious. wrong-headed, unholy delight if you will— in building up for It a character which would at least shock the prudish sensibilities of a noble English family should they ever hear of it." "I understand, partly ; but still I don't see that it was wich a very terrible matter," I added with a smile. As I say, a name is no more than a name." 1 was anxious to lessen her very obvious concern ; and did not m reality take the thing at all seriously. "It came within very little of being terrible, last night, "she replied. •• I don't know that. I had plenty of fight left in me even at the ugliest moment. And at any rate, the ending more than made amends for the whole sus- pense. She made a quick gesture of protest " But what was meant by the suggestion that your Ferdinand Carbonnell had been guilty of treachery ?" " Wait, please. When we created the mythical Fer- dinand Carbonnell, it was because there seemed no room for me, a girl, in the great work of Carlism ; I therefore introduced a new element into the form of agitation. Instead of all the leaders knowing each other and interchanging views personally and openly only a few of the leaders of the new movement were to know one another; there was to be as much secrecy as possible and Ferdinand Carbonnell was to be the mythical and yet terribly real centre of all. To estab- lish that was our first stroke. Ramon did it under my guidance ; going from place to place, now in one name J- .. ifr. ir [1:1 ii: I' I 'i: K Irr- i 52 SARITA, THE CARLIST now in another ; but everywhere speaking of, and ad- vocating the new departure, and everywhere preaching up the greatness of the new and secret leader, name- less to nnany, and to the chosen few known as Ferdi- nand Carbonnell." '• Very mysterious," said I, not quite seriously, de- spite her earnestness. "But these men spoke of interviews with people, of delegates to go with me to Paris, of lists of names given to me, and so on. As if Ferdinand Carbonnell were anything but an impersonal myth." " There is something in that I have not probed ; but it was false— a tissue of falsehoods. Why, it would make Ramon and me traitors," she cried in a tone of splendid repudiation. I thought a moment. " But it was this same treachery which set these men first to snare and then threaten me. And I am much mistaken if there was not a personal motive of hate at the back of this Colonel Juan Livenza's conduct. Can your brother have used this name anywhere or at any time, and can he and these men have fallen foul of each other ? " To my surprise the question looked a full rich flood of crimson colour, and the flush spread up to the brow until the whole face glowed like a brilliant damask rose. "You will have to know these matters," she said, with a touch of embarrassment. « No, Ramon has used the name once or twice, but never in that way. These two have never met ; or he would have known last night, of course, you were not Ramon. No, it is this. Ramon and I meet very seldom— though we love one another dearly— and as I am afraid on his account !! iL THE EXPLANxlTION 53 to let people know that he is my brother, our meetings have to be secret, and-might be mistaken for those of a different character." " I see." »», " ^ ^t""^ u"^""^ ^""""^ °"* ^^^^ ^""'^ •" °"r own house here has been a spy ; spies here are as plentiful as fools, she cried, contemptuously. •• This was a woman whom I trusted somewhat, and she carried news of my concerns to Juan Livenza. She may have told him of iny meetings with Ramon ; it is likely, for she did not know Ramon was my brother. She has very possibly jumbled up some connection between him and Ferdi- nand Carbonnell ; for Ramon has written to me often Lh M "^'"': ^"'^ ^ *° ^''"' ^°™«times. Then she probably saw here a reference to your arrival here last night, or she may have heard Aunt Mercedes and my- self discussing it ; and she has carrie the news to her Zf°^'\u' I" '"'^ ^°' '"^^ '" some moods to see facts m either fears or hopes." " And his mood was ? " At my question and glance her colour began to mount again. " "/ ^T^ '"^•" ^^^ ""^^ ""y '°°^^ half-defiantly, her eyes fixed on mine as if daring me to utter a word of protest But the next instant the light died out. her glance fell to the ground, and she added : " I could win nim to the cause in no other way." I had to put a curb of steel strength on myself to prevent my feelings speaking from my eyes, or in mv gestures ; and in a tone as cold and formal as I could make it, I replied— yoZlin'^'V' "^"■'^'^ '*" "'" '^"'■P ^*^P°"«- And Sing" ^°" '''"■*' ^ ^ ^^^ *'"""'■ ^"^'^ *^«^y- ' !| i 54 SARITA, THE CARLIST She raised her head, flashed her eyes upon me, drew herself up, and said with great earnestness- "I have no heart for anything but the cause." A very foveTy'' ''**^'"P'°" ^^^ '^^''"^ ^^'^ ^"^ ^^^^> ^nd "I begin already to take your aunt's side in the matter, and to think you will get into too deep waters cousin Sarita." She laughed, easily. ' .u" '^\^^^P^^ the water the greater the buoyancy for those who know how to swim. I am not yet enough of a man to count dangers in advance." or crejft »°' '^''^*'"*' '*" ^^^^'^ ''^"^*'" °"*' "^"""'t '** "Nor to take a map and write 'pitfall,' 'abyss' precip.ce, ' dangerous,' in blood colour at every inch of a road you mean to travel. Nor with us Spaniards does that kind of timorous dread pass for high and prudent valour." She uttered the retort quickly, almost " I am not a map-maker nor colourer by profession " I answered, slowly, with a smile. "But if I were 't confess I should like to have something more about' a particular route than the bald statement that ' This road leads to-blank ' or 'That to blazes.' A know- rn»f ^ ""T'"^ •' "^^^' ^™''"' ^"^ ^ tip at the cross- roads-and there are plenty of them-can come in mighty handy." I spoke coolly and almost lazUy, in deliberate contrast to her fire and vehemence, and when I finished she looked at me as if in surprise. "And you are the same man as last night ?" she cried, wrinkling her forehead. "Oh, that was different. There are moments when you have a stiff bit of country to negotiate, and you ■11 THE EXPLANATION 55 /CO. and a^ ha^aX ^ ^U .Vr'^T'"- "^ that wears for everyday work ,, hi; . *' P'" Give me the reckless Mlinn t ^ when you play a. belg .fe":'-„ It^t^^''.^^'" ^»« I don't want such a man on my ".devoid ""'?"''"'«■ calculating, iceful. I woulH h/„ ^°'''' P'O'Pn'lic, I am not tn.i.rlol^TbZZ"^--'; »o« alawyer. aT Tam*- ^"'' """^^ °- ^ ^'" '^^^ "^ -o rnt; H-niVsTn?a:-:.«:tarx^::^a&^ sympathiser, a cousin. But a roan wiZ • °''' " 1 thiX oiceTu t rrsir" ""T""' ^°" '•• for she tu^ed upTn me slif^ hT; ""1 "^ '""''• a different light and Tften d wi'ra " 'i "? '''•■ smile. '" * "™'y seductive chl^c^VrA'rT'e^/p'osIra'"^' '''"■■■'" ^°" "" .igating diplotarro^ „i^," SnlT "' T"" w'hat-X ro^^an^JoXrcrerV' -°"-- "u" Winded, cousin F^LTnd 'ha«' r^;" "a"^"? shook her finger laughingly at me and ^™ , . ° near «e, and in a po^.i„* whichTwhen I fooke'^'.^r" caused roe to face the full light Not a mt,A 1"' rassmg, considering all thinn • buV t !. "'"•„""'»■■- features carefnli. .. 1 '"'"«'• ""t I controlled my «» ways mere, and do you know it and fear r 'li: If 56 SARITA, THE CARLIST its effects, and stamp it down with that resolution that now sits on your brow i..id sets your face like a steel mask ? " and she leaned forward and looked closely at me. " I am full of desire to help you ! " I said, controlling my voice. " Full of desire to help me," she echoed, setting her head on one side whimsically, and pausing. Then she asked, seriously, " What would you do to help me ? " " Surely that must depend upon the case that calls for my help ! " " What an Englishman you are ! If only we Span- lards were like you, what a nation we should be ! " This with a flash of enthusiasm that was all sincere. " How long have you known of my existence, cousin?" she cried, harking back to her growing purpose. " A few days." " And were you told I was in deep trouble ? None of your great, lordly house have yet concerned your- selves with us ! " "A proper rebuke perhaps, if you have been in trouble." "If? Is it not so?" " You don't wear the trappings of trouble ; this house " "How English again f" she burst in. ««What sort of a coat does he wear ? How does she dress ? And when you know that, you judge the character » " " Not all of us." " You wish me to think you an exception ? " " At least my sympathies with you should guide me right." "That is pretty and not unpromising; but what was THE EXPLANATION 5; "That you my help me?" '•That I may help you, if you will let me." hate yo English. J^: ::^;:^;Z:^^' Hate ,s a strong word," said I, with a glance , I' '« a strong feeling, cousin." ^ ' ' SheT""^?^ T ''''^'*°" '^ "°' international " She laughed, softly, musically, and ravishingly ^^ No. not mternational in that respect » ^* I said° ' "' '" ^'^^ *^ "^^''^ ^ '-a^y of alliance." "Offensive and defensive?" she cr.Vri « • i. .«..d .0 wai. .„„e.ha. a„™„t ^oT^/a™*^;""" Defensive certa nlv * I renIi#.H cu ^''^^^^r. i»..en..H„,<. Her L^^^Tll, ^ S:ZriZ " I have never been so temoted in „,. ,, Ferdinand. Bat I will no. No-„o . "Ll' T''° s.gh. "I dare not B„. „hi,e j I' j/™'""^"? for I am a creature of moods and a sTave of .h. ," n>e tell you what you ought to Low it ^~'" been desperate. L in rnVdeU^::™ 'i X dt " ui jfuu. iNo, no, don t smile ac \t tu^ *u- were nothing, or as i, you were too rtroVg! .ootuut; 58 SARITA, THE CARLIST i^ \>\t. ,n' :i too level-headed, too English, to be caught even in a Spanish snare. Let me finish. We need someone in the British Embassy here ; some friend to our cause, who will help us with information, will form a link be- tween us here and our friends in London ; and when I heard you were coming, I intended you to fill that r^/e. It was wicked, horribly wicked, and cowardly, too ; but for the cause I would do any crime and call it virtue," she exclaimed vehemently. " And now that you have seen me, you don't think I'm worth the trouble?" I asked, looking at her. " I should prize your help more than ever," she cried, with equal vehemence ; adding slowly, " but I will not take it." " You would never have had it in the way you planned, cousin. But for anything short of that it is yours at any moment for the mere asking — aye, without the seeking, if the chance comes. It is, however, Sarita my cousin, not Sarita Castelar the Carlist, that I wish to help." " Do you think you can draw a distinction ? No, no ; a thousanf^ noes. You cannot ; for I can only strike at Sebastian Quesada through my Carlism. If you knew his power and influence, and my weakness, as a girt, you would know that : one individual, unnoticed girl, one puny leaf of millions rustling on the twig to oppose the tempest strong enough to strip the whole tree. What is my weakness to his power ? and yet — I will beat him ; face him, drag him down, aye, and triumph, and drag from him that which he holds in his thief's clutches, and execute on him the justice which the law is powerless to effect." " You hate this man deeply ? " THE EXPLANATION 59 "Should a daughter love the man who killed her mother, or a s.ster him who ruined her brothe ? » You cannot fight ajrain^t him t* • This to. I a. buf a f^h t. „ mL" b^Th"" ^njad. .earn. .h. /acts of His i...^ll^l''Z ;,' '?""'.' "l" J"""' help," 5he said, wilfully. ' Vou w,ll not frighten me from my pnmose"'!*. else has failed, that will succeed " next trds. ''' '""'°°' '''''^' ''^ — ^ - her ,-. ",?,* ^^t * '*"*'' ''^'^h I alone possess. The world 18 full of h,s greatness, his influence, his power hi« wealth his judgment, his ambition, his fame ani h ! Tnr hThirr^r "' -'^ - --• - --"^- •'You mean » I asked, slowly. Th J^*' '°?°"°'^' 'f I would, I could be his wife That door of revenge will never shut, for he sTi.; rare th.ng among us Spaniards, a man of^Vable purpose And why should I not?" she cried, with a sw^ft tum hi iS • : li 60 SARITA, THE CARLIST as though I had put her on her defence ; and her eyes «ho„e and her cheeks glowed. " Between him and me, as he himself has declared, it is a duel to the death. Jf I will not be his wife he will crush me : he has said it and never has he failed to carry out a threat. It is true that I hate him : I feed my rage on the wrongs he has done to us. But what then ? If we women may be sold for money, traded to swell the pride of a millionaire's triumph may we not sell ourselves for a stronger motive? What think you of a marriage of hate ? A marriage where the woman, with the cunning we all have, hides under the soft laughter of her voice the caressing sweetness of her glances, the smooth witchery of her looks and simulated love, the intent to ruin, to drag down the man that has bought her. to sear his mmd with the iron of her own callousness, to watch wait, mask, win, lure, cheat and scheme, until the moment comes when the truth can be told and the hour of her revenge strikes." Jll'i' * ^."*i '" "^'""^ *^*" *^«" yo" '^ould be worsted ; and if you ask my opinion of the scheme. I think ,t loathsome." There was no lack of energy in my tone now. I spoke hotly, for the idea of her mar- nage with Quesada was hateful. She changed in an mstant. dropped the curt vehemence of manner and smiled at my quick protest. "Yet the world would see in it a dramatically apt ending to a serious family feud." "The world will see right in whatever he chooses to do at present. But while you hold that project in con- templation. I cannot help you," I said, and rose as if to go. " As you will." she answered coldly, and turned away ^«E EXPLANATION e. to look out Of th '^^^ 6i Engl,shm,„... ')"». "Oa a,yh<,„„„ ^^ ^^ ^ne did not take ho ^'^^^r on my face till /couM J T^^' ^"^ let her eyes <^'-eeping up to my cheetT I^""^ '^"^ ^^^'^^r of dejSht steady under thl *' ^"^ could scarce h«M *^ ' It waf nlr . *" "magnetism of her tn. k '"^ "^^^J^ « was not ,n human nature Zu "*^'' ^"^^ g'ance °'-deal; andlthinkshrdTvinlH^"'" ""™°^<=d «"ch an «:'e within me. ' "''"'"^^^ «°«ething of the strut? You give me your worrf «f u ^"swered firmly and earn. ., T"""' ^*>"sJn Sarita " l could have laM 7 ^'^"cstly, feeling at the m« ' snook her head. ""■ ^l"' "noved back and -Ca^':'a:d':xr„tc,"'r-- "vou say— * I am sorrv T «, . °°' and reflect an^ ZTr--'' ' - -" I "J^ ""^"^'^ ^-^- would have your help-.Heaven i "°' ''^"^ 'h«- I W sorely I need heV true " '"^ ''°^ ^^^'^ and J"dunselfish,suchas?i„o" '"""'■'' ''°"^«^ '"anly, ^-ouldcherlsh it. But no ^1""' k '^ '' ^^ ^<>- ' "°' "°' a hundred noes. m 'J 1.7 a- : 62 SARITA, THE CARLIST X I it ?' .% I M i J 1 There shall be one man at least able to say — ' Sarita has always been candid to me.' If you came to me, I should whelm you surely in the flood of my Carlism ; and I should drag you down and ruin you. I meant to do it — I told you so ; and to you I will be candid, I needed you, not for yourself — I did not know you then; I had not seen you, and it was for the cause that to me is the breath of life. But I release you. Go now. I have seen you — I know you. You are true — aye, cousin, as true a manr, I believe, as a friendless, often desperate woman might long to have for a comrade ; but no, no, I cannot, I cannot ! " she cried wildly and half incoherently, her arms moving with gestures of uncertainty. She covered her face and as quickly un- covered it and smiled. " You will think me a strange rhapsodist. But when you offered to help me — ah, you can't think how tempted I was. I have resisted it, however ; " and she smiled again and almost instantly sighed deeply. ** You have come too soon — or too late." " Too soon or too late ? I would do anything in the world for you, Sarita," I exclaimed, scarcely less deeply moved than she herself. " You are too soon for me to be callous enough to make use of you ; I am not yet desperate enough. And too late to save me from myself. But I shall see you again when the hour of temptation is not so sweetly near ; " and with that, showing many signs of feeling, she hurried from the room. i CHAPTER VI "COUNTING ALL RENEGADES LOVERS OF SA'^N » THE interview with Sarita excited me greatly, and I was too much engrossed by the thoughts of It to be able to bear with equanimity a second edition of Madame Chansette ; so that when that dear and most amiable of women came to me, I pleaded an engagement and left the house. As I passed through the hall there was a trifling in- cident, to which at the moment I paid very little heed A couple of men were standing in whispered conference by the door and did not notice my approach until the servant made them aware of it. Then they drew aside one with the deference of a superior servant, the other witj^ a quite different air. He looked at me very keenly anu apparently with profound interest, then drew aside with a very elaborate bow and exclaimed : " Senor, it is an honour." This drew my attention to him, and I set him down for an eccentric and gave him a salute as well as a pretty sharp look. He was a long-visaged, sharp-eyed high-strung individual, moderately well-dressed, the most noticeable feature in my eyes being the exagger- ated courtesy, not to say obsequiousness, of his manner toward me. I dismissed the matter with a smile, how- ever, and went back to my thoughts of Sarita and her aofairs. I rl Ml M 64 8ARITA. THE CARLIST V s I walked back slowly to my hotel revolving them, and while I was sunding in the hall a few moments, was surprised to see the man I hafi noticed at Madame Chansettc's house walk past the hotel on the opposite tide of the street. For a moment this annoyed me. It looked uncommonly as if he had followed me, and although I tried to laugh at the incident as a mere absurdity, or coincidence, or at worst a result of the fellow's eccentricity, I was not entirely successful; and now and again during the rest of the day it recurred to me, to start always an unpleasant series of conjectures. The truth was, Sar^ta's involvement with these con- founded Carlists, the extraordinary connection between her and the man who had prepared that welcome for me to Madrid, and the conviction fast settling down upon me that she was rushing full steam and all sails set on the rocks, had got on my nerves ; and I was quite disposed to believe the fellow had followed me intentionally, and that the episode was a part of that spyism she had declared so prevalent. In the evening Mayhew dined with me, and after dinner I took possession of some rooms he had found for me in the Calle Mayor ; and the bustle of getting my things in order and the chatter with him served to relieve the strain of my thoughts. But he was quick enough to see something was amiss with me and would have questioned me had I given him the slight- est encouragement. The next morning brought another disquieting inci- dent. I walked to the Embassy, and Mayhew joined me on the Plaza Mutor and we went on together. As we stood in the doorway the spy — as in my thoughts LOVERS OF SATAN 65 I had begun to term him-passed the end of the build- Thj^^nron* ""'"'"* "'-'^^-»^^^-^-;:li, «ne'.ua '" ^*' ^"^•^""•"^•'••ked Mayhew. .eelng " Nothing, old man ; at least nothing yet • if It tum- .nto .omething. r„ .p,ak to you aboT t> and no wUhmg h.m to have any due I wheeled 'about ." •J"!"! \!**""? «>™«hing else to think about. The. « K *J*?'' ^'■°'" "y '«*''«' '^ith very grave ne i htw^Jote":-"''- ^^*«-P--»>'-n«e'nefalnratt:r^^ "And now, ray dear son, there is something vou must know. I have for some time past hid ^friow Tut t H.\T' i"'' *P*^'*"^*' ^^- Calved about ,t. He put me off with vague assurances at the ce^ded rS " •'""*' "*"'^ ^''^ '^^^^ • »>"* I have sue ceeded o-day .n getting him to tell me the truth As I explained to him, a man in my position is not like ordmary folk ; he must know things and be prepa ed The great responsibility of a peerage requires that its affairs should not be jeopardised or involved by any surpr.se such as sudden death ; and I should be a coward If I could be so untrue to my order as to leave tlth i"k''""' '"' °' * P^'^^y ''^'o' facing the truth. I hope none of us Carbonnells will ever be such poltroons. The truth is. it seems, that my death may happen at any moment. For myself I hope I should never share so vulgar a sentiment as the fear of death, and I let Dr. Calvert see I was really asto" m 66 SARITA, THE CARLIST pi ished that he should have thought a man of my order and position would be so untrue to the instincts of his breeding — to say nothing of religion. " Well, that is the verdict ; and now for its effect upon you. I am chiefly concerned for you and Mercy ; because Lascelles must have every pound that can be spared to maintain the position which the title imposes. Mercy has from her mother about three hundred pounds a year, and this will maintain her should she be so unfortunate as not to marry. For her I can do no more, and for you can, unfortunately, do nothing. The utmost that I dare leave away from the title is one thousand pounds ; and this I have left you in the fresh will I have made to-day. I have no doubt that Lascelles, if he marries well, as I hope he will, will always assist you ; but you have now the chance of helping yourself— your foot is upon the ladder— and I am very glad that our recent exertions, though prompted by no thought of what we know now about my health, have resulted in your getting such a start. You have abilities of your own, and I urge you to use them to the best advantage in your present sphere, and I pray God to bless you. While I live of course your present allowance will continue. " Then, lastly, as to the Castelars. Tell Madame Chansette what 1 have told you about my health, and say that I can do positively and absolutely nothing for them. But if you yourself can do anything, do it by all means. If you can spare me any particulars, how- ever, do so. I do not shirk my duties as head of my house ; I hope I never shall shirk them ; but the fewer anxieties I have now the better— so, at least, says Dr. Calvert. LOVERS OP SATAN 6; a genuine affection between us • anH VL ^ Which he faced the inevui: irgh^*^:^^^^^^^^^^^ tically expressed, appealed to me strongly /dinn; resent my virtual disinheritance. Thf lot ' ' ?., younger son had never galled me much, and wa enough of a Carbonnell to admit the reasoiin^ and L kre:rrh''""'' "°"^^ ^^ therewarruft ; to keep up the peerage. But I did not delude myself with any sparkhng visions of what Lascelles would do or that not "T'!f "^" • ^"^ ' P^-«'-^ quite^^ainly that now, indeed, my future lay in my own hands oL^ and^that .would be only and sole.y^uch a^lVouS In one respect solely did this thought sting me It was a barner between Sarita and me I must mar^ for money or not at all. for the plain bed rock reasoT to suppo" n^fr ""^^'^ -'- ^^-'^ '-- --X More than that, the letter doomed me to a continu ance of my present career. I should be dependent" upon .t always for mere existence money and this meant that I must make it the serious'p'u pose ^ he. and not merely a means for extracting as much ctrr/l '°"''!f °"^ °' '""^ P'^^*^ -hefe I might a time, for I knew of a dozen men with more brains ' \ wu 68 SARITA, THE CARLIST than I possessed, as qualified for the work as I was ignorant, and as painstaking as I was the reverse, who had toiled hard and religiously for many years to acquire just enough income to enable them to know how many of the good things of life they had to do without. But Narure had kindly left out the worry lobe from my brain, and I soon held lightly enough the news as it affected my own pecuniary prospects. I took more interest in my work that day than I should otherwise have taken, I think, and found it very irksome. I wrote to my father, and then went off to my rooms with a complete present irresponsibility and a feeling of thankfulness that I had always been a comparatively poor man, and that I should be a big fool if I were to add the wretchedness of worry to the sufficient burden of comparative poverty. I was whistling vigorously as I opened my door and stopped, with the handle in my fingers, in sheer surprise, at seeing in possession of my rooms the man whom I believed to be a spy. He was sitting reading as he waited, and on seeing me he rose and made me one of his ceremonious bows. " Who are you, and what do you want here ? " I asked in none too gracious a tone, as I frowned at him. " Senor Ferdinand Carbonnell — you are Ferdinand Carbonnell ? " — he repeated the name with a kind of relish — " I could not resist coming. I could not resist the desire to speak to you, to stand face to face with you, to take your hand. I have done wrong, I know ; but I shall throw myself on your mercy. I am leaving again to-night; but I could not go without seeing you." LOVERS OF SATAN 69 firmeV^'n"' ''"P^*^^^'^" ^^ ^im seemed to be con- firmed, rhe man was a lunatic, or at least an eccen- tnc^ and a word or two to humour him would do no "I heard your name mentioned at the house where I saw you yesterday. The friend who mentioned knew notamg; but I knew; and when I heard you were .„ the house. Senor. do you think I could leave without a sight of you ? Ah. Mother of God r " I was rolling myself a cigarette with a half smile of amusement at the man's eccentricity when a thought occurred to me. I stopped in the act. and looked a h»n sharply and questioningly. Th; thought had changed my point of view suddenly, and instead of amusement my feeling was now one'of some uneasi- "Just be good enough to tell me exactly what you mean ; and be very explicit, if you please!^ I slid I am from Saragossa. Senor Ferdinand Carbonnoll and my „a„e IS Vidal de Pelayo." he answered, in a tone and manner of intense significance. There was purpose meaning, and pregnant earnestness in The answer, but no eccentricity. "I don't care if you are from Timbuctoo and your ~ lertif ^"^^' ""''''' ^'^^ '^ y- -- •" • The manner of his answer was a further surprise He plunged h.s hand somewhere into the deepe;; recesses of h.s clothes and brought out a small, fold" nanded it to me without a word. m 70 SARITA, THE CARLIST ifji I m " Vidal de Pelayo. No. 25. ist Section. Saragossa. " Counting all renegades lovers of Satan. By the grace of God. (Signed) Ferdinand Carbonnell." The signature was written in a fine free hand utterly unlike my own, of course ; but there it was confronting me, and signed to a couple of lines that read to me like so much gibberish. I turned it over and handed it back with a laugh ; and my thoughts went back again to my first opinion of the man. "Very interesting, no doubt; and very important, probably, but it does not enlighten me." "You mean you do not wish to know me ? As you will. Then I suppose I must not open my lips to you ? But I have seen you ; and it is a great day for me." "You are right; I wish you to say nothing," I replied, assuming a very grave look and speaking very severely. " You have done wrong to come here at all," I added, seeing the effect of my previous words. "You must not come again." " You will wish to know that all is going well ? " he said, in a tone of remonstrance and surprise. "I have other means of learning everything," I answered, with a suggestion of mystery, and rose as a hint to him to go. "You are at the British Embassy here. It is wonderful," he cried, lifting his hands as if in profound admiration. " Where I am and what I do concerns no one," I returned, cryptically. "We all have our work. RetBrn to yours." ** I have »een you. You will give me your hand — LOVERS OF SATAN .71 the hand that has put such life into the cause. God's b^ssmg on you. 'Counting all renegades lovers o ^^h"*.. f/^'^.^^^-^f God."' He uttered the formula with all the a.r of a devout enthusiast ; and I gazed at h.m keeping a stern set expression on my C the Tari';"' a"°;'""^"'*' °" -"»^ »>« -elnt b" th jargon And you are indeed Ferdinand Carbonnell ? '• h^Mryhr''^^"^''^^«'°^*"-^^«--a^^e n^y^da^^sh^^^^^/--' nodding Ji ^ *r*;. T'** '*'*' arrangements required of me When the httle guest arrives he will be in safe and absolutely secret keeping." ^ "What little guest?" I asked. nnJt\ '"''*'''' ""^^^ ""'* «""t ' For what is he now but a guest and a usurper lik« » on/ • cuckoo in the eagle's eyrie? WhT'has i^ nev'e'S done before ? Why left to you to propose ? Bu it ^l" trembreriTH''"^-' "^^"''""' ^^^°''^'" -^ ^is toT " trembled w.th earnestness and, as it struck me now with deep sincerity. ' Was he after all no more than a madman ? In a moment I ran rapidly over the facts as I knew them ;:ob:sr'^^"'^"^°"^^'"^"^- ^-^^-STo thinf"1°saiH'^^"'r^'- .^ ^""* ^^^^^'^^ °f -orn- wlf^M !, ' "* P'^"^ ^'"*^ *"d tobacco before him We rolled our cigarettes and lighted them ; and all h^ «me I was casting about for the best method of pump! mg him without betraying myself. " It may after ^f] stand. What precisely have you done in that matter ? 72 SARITA, THE CARLIST Assume that I know nothing," I said, with a wave of the hand. He was seemingly flattered by the request, iill4 answered readily. " I have done my utmost to organise my district. Of the lists of names given me there is not one I have not sounded, and about whom I cannot say precisely, ' He is for us,' or, ' He is against us.' I know to a peseta what funds would be forthcoming on demand, and what reserve there would be for emergencies. There is not a rifle, sword, or revolver that is not scheduled and listed carefully." " Good. These things ^are in your reports," I said, making a shot. " So far as desired of me," he answered. " The totals." "Exactly! Well?" *' When the great coup was devised, I was sounded only as to whether there was in my district a place so safe and secret that a little guest, a boy, could be hidden there indefinitely ; and I know of just such a spot in the mountains to the north of Huesca, where a guest, little or big, boy or man, can be hidden in absolute secrecy. And so I reported. I know no more ; but I have guessed." ♦' It is dangerous to guess, Senor Pelayo," I said, with an air of mystery. " If I am wrong, so much the worse for Spain. But if the guest were indeed the usurper " — and here he paused and searched my face as if for confirmation of his hazard, but he might as well have counted the stones in a wall — " if, I say, then the mountain spot I mean would hold him as fast as his officers would hold LOVERS OF SATAN 72, us in his strongest prison had they wind of this scheme Do you wonder that my blood burns with excitement lor the day to dawn ? " " You have done your task thoroughly," I said, with the same air of reserve ; and his face flushed with pleasure at the praise. Then I added with great stern- ness, "But now I have a word for " you. You have done wrong, very wrong, to breathe a word of this even to me. You have been untrue to your duty. For all you could tell I might be a traitor worming this knowledge out of you for evil purposes. You heard my name by chance, you followed me and found me out, and with scarce a word of question from me you have tumbled pell-mell into my lap secrets that should have been kept with the closeness of the charnel hou^e Shame upon your gossiping tongue and your falsenesJ to your oath. You would have shown yourself worthier of the trust we place in you had you set me atdefiance and, when I questioned, refused even at the riagger's pomt to breathe a word of answer. From nr.w I shall watch you. I will give you another chance. Go back to your work, breathe no syllable of what has hap- pened here : that you have even seen or spoken to me • look on the very walls of your house and the very stones of the street as listeners, watchers, spies, ready to catch your words and bring them to me ; and if you value your life, pluck out your tongue rather than let It ever again betray you." I have seldom seen a man more thunderstruck and bewildered. He turned white to the lips and trembled violently, and his hands clasped the arms of his chair for support, while his eyes, terror-wide, appealed to me with the prayer for forgiveness his quivering lips re- fused to utter. t> f ^ 1 74 SARITA, THE CARLIST I feared I had overstrung the bow indeed, and filling a tumbler of wine, I handed it to him and said, relaxing the sternness of my looks : " Do as I bid you, and I will at no distant date send you a sign that you have regained my confidence ; " and with this hope to counterbalance his abject fear, I dismissed him. Then— shall I confess it ?— I did a very boyish thing. Full of a curiosity to know how I had looked when frightening the Carlist so successfully, I postured and mouthed and frowned at and rated myself before a mirror much as I had with Pelayo, and laughed with much satisfaction at what I considered an excellent impersonation. " By Gad, old chap," I exclaimed, with a nod to my- self in the mirror, " if diplomacy fails, you'll do some- thing on the stage, and what's more, I'll be hanged if I didn't feel that I meant it all the while I was giving it him." And then I became serious again. (1^ ^ CHAPTER VII 8ARITA, THE CARLIST part.cu.aHy awkward position fn re,ardt" r^si: She would as a matter of course be cognisant of the scheme, while it was more than probabk tlh^t it had sprung from her own nimble and daringwitV Mv v.s.tor had described it as the proposal of Fe dina^J Carbonnell ; Sarita herself had said that Ferdinand Carbonnell was the compound of her brothe/s "nd he' LL . I? • '"^ '^''' "^^ *" imagination, a daring and a feckless disregard of risks in the schime wWcl* all pomted to Sarita as its originator. BriH.Vp'l''^' ^''° my position as a member of the Bntish Embassy stafif to consider. If the thing were done, even .f ,t were attempted and failed, there wld susolTt ed "^'t^K ":.--y-here ; Carlist's known and su pected would be flung into prison, and questioned wuh that suggestjve and forceful ingenuity Ihich was generally successful in extracting information from the i-^. I *■ 76 SARITA, THE CARLIST unfortunate prisoners ; the name of Ferdinand Carbon* nell was sure to come out ; and if this Pelayo himself should chance to be among the questioned — not at all an improbable contingency — he would go a step fur- ther than anyone else and point me out to the authori* ties as the actual head and front of the conspiracy. That was a very awkward position to face. Apart from the decidedly unpleasant results to myself person- ally, it was very certain that the consequences to the British interests in Spain at such a moment might be gravely embarrassing. It would be argued with much plausibility that the staff of the Embassy could scarcely have failed to know what was going on ; and a charge of connivance in an aMuction plot might fire a mine that would blow up Heaven only knew what. All these things I saw as I smoked a pipe of medita- tion in my room that night ; but I saw also something more. I was a soldier of fortune with my way to make. My father's letter had shown me that too plainly for me to misread. What, then, would be my position if I could use this plot, the knowledge of which had been thrust upon me, to my own advantage, while at the same moment saving Sarita from the re- sults of her own wild scheming ? What would be the standing of the Englishman in Madrid who should cut in at the critical moment when the young King had been carried off, and rescue him and restore him to the Queen-mother a;, '^he instant of her agonised bereavement ? It was a di;.zying thought, and I am free to confess the prospect fascinated me. I sat turning it over and over as I smoked pipe after pipe, and the longer I thought the brighter glowed the one picture — the position of the man who i>aved the SARITA, THE CARLIST ii KIng-and the colder grew the other-the duty of in- forming the Embassy of what I had learneJ. When I knocked the ashes out of my last pipe in the hour of dawn-for I sat thinking all through' t'he nigh! -I had made my decsion. I would fight for my own her Af K f T*I ^"■"* """^ concerned, I would warn ttid t"v °" '^^ '•'*• ^^ •^'^'^ P«"'"«<». then I would take my own measures to save her In pursuance of this, I went to Madame Chansette's on the followmg afternoon to see Sarita. She was frankly pleased to see me, and after a few minutes gave me herself the opening I wished. « "i.I'Tu'"^'*' "P my mind in regard to you, Ferdi- nand." She used my christian name with the uncon' stramed freedom of relationship. " I will not have your help. You shall not be involved through me in ZncJ!K''r'"T"- "y°"<^^" prevail in your way upon Sebastian Quesada to give up what he has taken from us, do so; but you shall not have him for an enemy on my account." "That is very nice and commonplace of you. Sarita " said I, with a smile. ' " I was not quite myself when you were here yester- anTt ^^A '"L^."''"^ "' °"' °^ ™y^^'f- I ''^^ "Cited, and talked wildly, and you must forget it all " "What a very charming day it is. Did you notice how blue the sky was at about ten o'clock > '• " What do you mean ? " she cried, looking at me in quick surprise. ^ •• mc in "Are you going to the Opera to-morrow ? I hear that Vestacchia's ballet is wonderfully good," I con- tmued, in a dull, everyday tone. " By the way, I hear **««corr RBownoN tbt cmaitt (ANSI ond ISO TEST CHART No. 2) m |2J lis lit Itt |a2 ■ 16 IM M Itt L23 i ^iPPLIED IMj nP Ine l«53 Eott Main Slrttt (716) 2B8 - 5989 - Fo, 73 SARITA, THE CARLIST Pi) pi! Is); that the young Duke of Sempelona is likely to make a mesalliance^ " What is all this rubbish ?" '* I thought we were to be commonplace, that's all. I hear, too " but she interrupted me now with a burst of laughter. " Ridiculous ! " she cried. " As if you and I need talk of such things. I tell you I will not have your help." " Very well. I'll pack it up and put it away in my trunks against the day it is needed. That is settled." " So you can be provoking, can you ? I thouglst you were a serious Englishman, with a good deal of the man in you." " But you don't want the man ; and as I can play many parts, I brought with me the society dude in case he should be handy." " You are angry because I won't let you interfere with my affairs, eh ? So you have your pet little weak- nesses, too." " Why don't you care to speak of fashionable mar- riages ? You mentioned oae that was in the making when I was here last." "You think it a pleasant subject for a jest?" she cried, resentfully. "Scarcely a fair hit. You have just told me you were not yourself then — and I thought and hoped it had been abandoned, and was to be forgotten like the rest of what you said." To this she made no immediate reply, but after a pause, asked slowly and earnestly — " And do you take enough interest in ray future to feel serious about such a project \ " \.\ SARITA, THE CARLIST 79 "There would not be much of the man in me. and far ess of the cousin, and none of the friend, if I did not, I returned. "You have seen me once and known me three days " You forget the first time I saw you, Sarita. I do not. I never shall-and never wish to. There are some wounds that are long in the making ; others that are made m a flash: and the latter may endure longer than the former." She threw a penetrating glance a me, sighed, and turned away again. "I wonder if you will ever understand me," she said totd^r"""'• "^^•"^-'^- your help. / hTv'' "It is already packed away-waiting," I returned hghtly. But the light tone jarred, and she tapped her Why play at this game of pretences ? " I asked " I am gomg to help you, whether you will or no ; and you are going to take my help, whether you will or no And you are going to give up that-well, the need for other* v'"' F"°^''''^ marriages, fashionable or otherwise. You know quite well that I am just as much m earnest as you are ; and already you have read me well enough to be perfectly aware that having made that use of my name, you have given me the opportunity to help you which I shall not fail to use e^aLl '" tT''"' ' "^'^ "' ^^ '^^"'^- ^'" ^^' the example I have come to tell you of something that you must abandon_a plan that originated with you • the mv7h J7 !l^'' ''' ''"' ^°^^ *° ""^^^ "P half of the mythical Ferdinand Carbonnell. A plan hat the real Ferdinand Carbonnell will not sanction." You have come to dictate to me, you say ? You to ^i ■f 8o SARITA, THE CARLIST me?" she cried, at first half indignantly, but then laughing. " But what is it ? " she asked, with a change to curiosity. " Tell me first the answer to this puzzle phrase, or charade : ' Counting all renegades lovers of Satan. ' " I put the question with a smile, but the sudden, intense dismay on her face startled me. "Where did you hear that?" she asked. "How could it come to^^a ; You must tell me. I must know." " Tell me first what it means ; that is, if it means anything more than a jingle." " You don't know ? " and her eyes lighted quickly. " No, I don't know— but I suspect. Tell me, how- ever." " What do you suspect ? " " To question is scarcely to trust, Sarita. I suspect that it is some secret password among you Carlists." "But how could it come to your ears?" she cried anxiously. "Should not Ferdinand Carbonnell be trusted by his followers ? " " Someone has heard your name, has seen you and has mistaken you— oh, Ferdinand, I might have ex- pected it, but scarcely yet. Wait; yes, I know. It will have been Vidal de Pelayo. He has been here frona Saragossa : he may have heard your name— ah, I see it was he. And did he come to you— where ? Tell me everything." Her speech was as rapid as her deductions were quick and shrewd. " Yes, it was Vidal de Pelayo ; " and I told her generally what had passed at the interview, keeping back for the moment that part of it which referred to the abduction plot. She listened with rapt attention, 8ARITA. THE CARLIST 8, viewing it much more seriously than I did • , perhaps, unreasonable •■ And n! L ' """ "°'> absurd,y.soundi„gph.:semt"',"°"- ""■" "«' """ Vou have only half of it " 4«." aTS'odL'r*^ ^"" °' ""' ■■ • "« ">« oniy "If you take the initials of th^ « . win see .he meaning of .hX„d " """"" ^°" Claimed""^"- """"• "' "■' «— "f God," , ex- da;."' Ih/sat"" U^ii^re'^he""' .'r '° ^"- °- 1-iber.y,-- and her facriLhted „rh r*^ "' "" ''^'' "The 'N,» I ik ,,"«""<' with enthusiasm, thatl" '""'l-"'=«y.'Sarita; what do you mean by wii'iTrtrbS'.*? Whrd''" "" ''^'"'"' '^'"^ the very bottom of ihe^ca,' of 7 f "" ""'• ""' ^' Spain, but the doormat on llh ""'""^ ' "'''" >' even this America,^pes Jr "e' "' A Tl." ''•"""^' once-the leaders of the w"ld ,L ^ '"'" ""' "' «l>e earth, rulers holding "I, on J/°'''T' °' •""' Are we not the same ^ or in the more tragic fo'T^ '" •^'''^ ^ "^'^ "^^"'"^ J Carlist movementTbe ^,n ^.'k '"^ '""^" '" ^he after all your Don Carlos i' ""' ^ knowledge that Spaniard.'' '°' "* "° '"^''^ *han a man, and a -id ; 'r; inrnr r ^''•-^^ --^^ -^ ^yes,- she dream. But I would rathefli ve'a dl! ^ '^'■'^'"' ^'^"' ^ and die in striving to reaUse th. l "'^' °^ ^''^^'"s. drone among drones Bu I h ' '" ''^' ^"^ ^'^^ ^ have your help '• ' ' ''""^ ^^^^^ X^" I will not ^^TotL'T,:^^^^^^^^^^ -not avoid it. has made it inevitable Yo7areTo-^'T ' ^"'^^^ name, and whether you wishTt or n /"^k '^"'^' '" ""y us together in close ass^dat' wu ^u' '^'' '^""^^ with Vidal de Pelayo may hao " n ^ ^"^^^"^^ another; and how'carje L'apel.r "°"^^ But I must make terms, even wi?h "^^^^^uences ? you have in the making a ni ! ^°"- ^^'^ '"^^a"<^e, King " ""^^'"^ ^ P'a" ^o carry oflf the young i-i- 84 SARITA, THE CARLIST •• What ? " she cried, in a tone of profoand astonish- ment. " Is it not so ? " •' Did Pelayo tell you anything of the kind ? " "Can the followers of Ferdinand Carbonnell have any secrets from him— when they find him in the flesh? He told me no more than he knew— that he was to procure a safe place for a little guest ; the rest is sur- mise ; but surmise made easy. And I have come to tell you that the project must be stopped." " Must ? " she cried, angrily. " Must," I answered, firmly. « Stopped either by you or else go on to be checkmated by me." " That is a word I have never yet heard from any- one," she exclaimed, " Then it is quite time somebody used it," said I, as firmly and masterfully as I could make my manner " I mean it." " I will not listen to you. I won't bear it," and she got up and stared at me with resentment, surprise and rebellion in every feature of her face. " I am not going because you are angry, Sarita I care for you far too much to let a passing mood like that ruffle my purpose. I will not let you commit this crime." "This is ridiculous— monstrous;" and she tossed her head disdainfully. "You are presuming on what passed when you were here yesterday," " I am doing nothing of the kind, and only your anger would lead you to make so unjust an accusation What I am domg is to use some of the privileges which you have given to Ferdinand Carbonnell. I have been withm an ace of losing my life through the use of the ii SARITA. THE CARLIST 85 ==£=?:■?■-■-" your own blindn^r a^ ^^"^ consequences of vince vTu thlt T '"°'"'"''' '■*''^^^^'°" ^i" con- ship. Would the Ferdilnd CalX?,'' T'"' '"""• b« deterred from doing That he h ^ T' '"''""^ a motive > No • TnH "^^ "'""' "^l" ""y such "It i. ,1, ' f °°"''" "'" "« '"' man." It .s the very key-note of our plans," she cried •• Jo« Shan ■"?'■ '"""«' " '""■•™' harnony " " ^^ou'tJ you quarrel with me > " Th!fr ^r ^^'""^ ^ '^"^""' °" ">« because of it • yes " sternalion. "" "' "P^^ch and con- J' And you said just now you cared for me," she said, an his°::;'irhe^;tM";e'.'t:rk? XtV -;" ""- have made me rich i„ PoVaTdl^ilf tTh '^oC you have given me to the ut,ermost-to save you " .inlhertnd """""' 1'°°" ^"'^' "='<>- ™=a"dput. 86 SARITA. THE CARLIST m " Will nothing move you, Ferdinand ?" " Nothing," I returned, meeting her eyes firmly. " Not if I tell you " she hesitated and bit her lip in disconcerting agitation. My heart gave a wild leap at the thought of how the broken sentence might have been finished. I loved her, Heaven knows how deeply, and for an instant I cheated myself with the wild fancy that a confession of answering love was halting on her trembling lips. " Not if I do what I have never yet done to any man — beg and implore you to leave this thing alone?" Moved though I was I would not let her see anything of my feeling ; I changed no muscle of my face, and met her eyes with the same calm, resolute look as I an- swered slowly and earnestly — " Sarita, if such a thing were possible as that you love me and that the words which faltered on your lips just now had been a confession of that love, I should still answer you that nothing would move me from my purpose." She started violently, listened to me at first with such a look as one might give whose heart has sud- denly been bared, and then with an expression of dis- may which changed at last to almost passionate reproach her hands slipped from my shoulders and she fell into a chair and covered her face to hide her emo- tion. But the weakness passed in an instant and she rose and faced me, once again calm, confident, and self- reliant. " It shall not be abandoned. You have no right to do this. It shall go on, do what you will. You shall not come between me and my duty ; between me and ■AN EXEMY OF SPAIX CAN BE N,. fr^.^d of MINE, SHE CRIED." — Page 87. lil. SARTTA, THE CARLIST 87 my country. I have urged and entreated you, and you have scorned me. It is not in your power to bend me —cold and hard and strong as you may think yourself. I can be cold and hard and strong, too, as you will find. What if I tell you, as I do, that you shall never set eyes on me again if you do not give way ?" and she drew herself to her full height, splendid in her flashing, gleaming anger. But I did not yield a jot from my purpose. " That must be as you will, Sarita," I said, calmly. " Nothing can change my resolv-. Because I will not see or say that all you do is right, you are angry. Well, leave it there. Believe me, I will stop this and save you from yourself." " I do not want your help ; and I will not have it. An enemy of Spain can be no friend of mine," she cried, passionately, and was going from the room with all the signs of her anger and emotion flaming in her face when the door was opened and a servant ushered in Colonel Livenza. As soon as he saw me, his face lowered ominously and the anger deepened and darkened when he per- ceived by Santa's face that our interview had been no mere conventional one. Sarita was for the moment too agitated to stay and speak with him, and with a hasty word of greeting and excuse she hurried past him and left us alone. He looked after her in surprise and deep annoyance, and then turned with a scowl to me as if for an explana- tion ; looking on me as an intruder. " I did not expect to meet you here, senor," he said, angrily ; but the scene with Sarita had left me in no pleasant mood, and I was glad enough to have some- 88 S.\RITA, THE CARLIST y ;! ii '^^ |l|i li'l::^] one on whom to vent the temper which I had been keeping under such restraint. " I am not aware that I am in any way called upon either to anticipate or consider your expectations," I returned, pretty curtly. " That's a very strange reply." " To a very impertinent remark," I retorted. I hated the fellow, and was not in the least concerned to conceal the feeling. In my then mood, guessing the object of his visit, nothing would have given me greater pleasure than to have kicked him downstairs and out of the house. I believe he guessed something of this, for he turned aside, pretended not to hear my answer, and made way for me to pass. As I reached the door, going very slowly and keeping my eyes upon him in that melodramatic manner into which a bad temper will lead the mildest of us, Sarita came hurrying back, and her glance of alarm at us both showed she feared some sort of a quarrel. " I will see you again, Sarita," I said, with a warmth in my manner which was intended more to displease Livenza than to please her. But she was still very angry, and drawing back, said — " After what has passed that will scarcely be n pes- sary or desirable." At which the man smiled and shrugged his shoulders contemptuously and with a suggestion of triumph which galled me. And, smarting under the sense of my defeat, I left the house. CHAPTER VIII SEBASTIAN QUESADA THE interview with Sarita both distressed and per- plexed me, and my uneasiness was considerably aggravated by the fact that she went away from the city leaving Madame Chansette in ignorance of her movements and in much anxiety. I could not doubt that in some way this absence was connected with the plot which I had declared my inten- tion to thwart, and Madame Chansette and I had more than one consultation concerning her, in which that good soul's fears were largely shared by me. I was, moreover, doubtful whether to take any further steps in Sarita's affairs until I had seen her again and in particular, whether to approach Sebastian Quesada on the subject of his giving up some of the Castelar property. "He will not do it, Ferdinand ; I am convinced he will never do it," said Madame Chansette ; " but I wish you to convince yourself also, and then we can together try to bring Sarita to reason." I was considering the questionable policy of doing something of the kind when a somewhat odd adventure occurred to change this aspect of affairs, and relieve me from the trouble of coming to any decision on the point. Madrid was growing very uneasy over the Cuban =Fr^"=^=" i H f! f m 90 SARITA, THE CARLIST question, and the populace were getting quite out of hand in the mad demand for war. Quesada was far too clear-headed not to understand the infinite danger to Spam of a war with America. He knew, probably, how hopelessly rotten was the state of the army and navy and he threw the whole of his powerful influence into the scale against war. But the Madrid people went mad, and several riots occurred in which ugly results were with difficulty avoided ; and one of these disturb- ances, directed against Quesada himself, was destined to have weighty consequences for me. I was in my rooms one afternoon when I heard the sounds of a disturbance in the street, and, looking out I saw a big crowd hurrying with shouts, and cries, and gesticulations, and with alternate huzzaing and hooting in the direction of the Puerta del Sol, where Quesada's office, the Ministry of the Interior, stood. I turned out to see what would happen, and soon I found myself in the midst of a mob bent on making a very rowdy demonstration against Quesada and his counsels of peace and prudence. I hung on the skirts of the crowd, listening to the fierce groans and hisses of those who had reached the Ministry, and wondering curiously what would be the upshot. Then, just as matters were beginning to set very lively indeed, a carriage with a dashing pair of ;;reys came rattling down the Calle de Arenal, and the coachman, being unable to get threugh the crowd was Idiot enough to lay his whip on the backs of some of the men who stood thronging the roadway. This fool's act maddened the mob, and with a roar like beasts some of them swarmed on to the box and dragged him off, while others unharnessed the horses SEBASTIAN QUESADA 91 arriage was a girl, who was almost fainting with frieht I shpped across the road on the chance of bdng able o put^X '°""' ^^""^ °^ ''^ --^ quite Tsposed to punish the young mistress for the act of the coach man One or t.o of them were already fumbli, a CO ner of -the ^•''^ "^^^ ''^""'^'"^ ^^'^ '" the farthest as they clustered round the door • and on 1 '^ ' ^e.av. . .„, „,,, , „,, ::^x;L:r4^, to^L" !,°?r^" "■'""' "" ""»8« ■'=■<' "oPP'd close to the pathway at a point where the pavement wis o ?a"r;; "of- ''' """^ "='"« '""" -<« """ uiiiy a couple of men on the other ciH« t i- ^ round to that side, shouldered the mL^'o the X opened the door, and said, in a tone of commandl ^'' Quick, senorita. Trust to me ; I will protect you You cannot stay here " A crio«^^ . H'"«.cli you. assure her th.. t ^^"^^ ^' ^^ seemed to assure her that I meant well and not evil ; and just as he clumsy louts succeeded in opening th^ other door tt: c!rria"g\ ''' ''' '^^ ^ --^' -'^ ^-Pe^ tm' Without a word I put her next the wall, and gettine w h7er a:7? ''t' '^''^' ^"'^ ^"^^^ cr;wd.lhu r 5 with her as fast as I could to the corner where two or three streets open into the Puerta del Sol, the crowd pressing upon our heels and growing mori vcheTnt ( i l-'-lf-: 92 SARITA, THE CARLIST every minute. Most luckily there was a cab standing at the corner of the Calle de la Montera, and I made straight for this. The driver was away seeing the fun, no doubt, and I shoved and shouldered my way toward it, and laid about me so lustily with my stick, getting a fair share of blows in return, that I won the way through and put the girl inside. As soon as that was done I turned at bay for a minute and let drive with my stick and fist in all directions, clearing a path till I could mount the box, when I lashed the horse into so much of a gallop as its weary, weedy legs were capable of achieving. In this way, hatless, breathless, and with my clothes toi ■: a ^d my muscles aching, I succeeded in getting the gin uut of the clutch of the mob, who greeted my departure with yells of disappointment. When I was well out of all danger of interference and the shouts of the people were no more than a dis- tant hum, I pulled up and went to look after my charge. She was lolling against the cushions of the fly in a half- faint condition, and at first did not understand me when I asked where I should drive her. But at length she told me who she was, and I could understand the reason of the crowd's anger. She was Sebastian Qaesada's sister, Dolores Quesada, and asked me to drive her to his house in the Puerta de Alcala. I must have cut a queer-looking figure, but as there was no one else to act coachman I clambered back on to the box and hustled the aged animal in the shafts into as good a pace as I could, choosing the quietest streets for the route. By the time we reached the house my " fare " was better, but asked me to give her my arm, sent one servant to mind the horse, another in search of a Senora Torella, and insisted upon my SEBASTIAN QUESADA 93 rS.""" "'"""« '" Sivean account or wha. had She was disposed ,' ° "kf t I" ? T".^ ""■"'^ S'"" thanked me very g acioa.W ^.f' "["" >""<''"<, and " Co you know ,7 7" °"^'' '°° P^f-sely. .ores... LkUr ;:e:„rsero:a%2fr^»^ "°- of course, allow us to place a carrial r°v'-r ^ " ' for your return home, or would you fathlr^h;,""'" some message to your friends ? vl^l "" '"' the hands of the mob " *■""" '"""«" " CwXo^hUrce'wir"' "'■"' "« "^ "--" I perhaps, save .rou^btrardLr:"!''""-". •' -"'. me another fly 1 can' get hXa" r "hrrtVT'' thanks, .t ,s sufScient recompense to hi ve bee^ ., service to the senoriM o, .,. ." "" °een of some -iTive that coachm^of y u^^' rvere"" """ ™"=' »as his violence in l^shijlttl^.f reprimand. It them and led to all t t™1we V """^ ''™'"*'<' ter now, senorita ?» ^°" "'^ '==''"8 "et- wifh^L'tn'^e'd'^sfa^ethi h T, '"'"' ''""' " ^ barrassin^, anl^tr: rou^^ lt"f ^ "'"""■ and coloured. herself, sat up, smiled, " Thanks to you, senor, I am better Rnt r help and courage what miirht nn7 k f °'* ^""^ -? WhatanLapeT 2d X Sri :'''^"'' ^° -Han never cease rothank^L^^Lr/v^i^iXC: m 94 SARITA, THE CARLIST ing sent you to rescue me." She was clearly an emotional creature, but this kind of exaggerated grati- tude was not at all to my liking. " Pray don't make too much of it. I just happened to be on the spot at the moment, but I did nothing more than anyone else would have done under the same circumstances. Besides, it's pretty certain that the crowd only meant to frighten you, and nothing serious would have happened even had I not been there." " It is clear that the hand of Heaven guided you," said the duenna, with a solemn earnestness which quite disconcerted me. I did not regard myself as exactly the sort of person Heaven would choose for an instru- ment ; and not caring for the turn of the conversation, I rose to leave. They were loth for me to go, however, ana urged me to wait until the brother came home ; but I had had enough of it, and went away, not sorry to have succeeded in getting a propitious introduction to Sebastian Quesada. The next day brought Quesada himself to the Em- bassy ; and I met him with deep and genuine interest, heightened considerably by my knowledge of that little secret which Sarita had told me. " Senor Carbonnell, you have laid my family under an obligation that will end only with death," he said, with Spanish exaggeration, " and the measure of my gratitude is the limitless measure of my love for my dear sister. You must render me another service by giving me your friendship ; and though that will add to my obligation, it may afford me an opportunity of showing you something of my gratitude." And all the time he was saying this with exaggerated gesture SEBASTIAN QUESADA 95 and elaboration of conrlesy, his piercing -m u 98 SARITA, THE CARLIST " But I did get the girl out of a fix. Hang it, ht can't have any motive in my case." Mayhew laughed. " Hasn't a girl ever given you a thing you didn't want at the moment, and haven't you wrapped it up very carefully and put it away somewhere, appreciating the act, and thinking it would be sure to come in handy some day ? That's Quesada's policy ; and I can think of plenty of things a devoted young friend on the staff of the Embassy here might be useful for." It wasn't exactly a pleasant view to take of the in- cident, but I could not help seeing it might be a very true one. "What an ass a fellow's self-conceit can make of him. Si," I exclaimed, after a pause. "But I shan't forget what you've said." " Don't, old fellow. I know the man, and I know he*s to be labelled dangerous. I don't believe there's any villainy— aye, any villainy of any kind, that ' e'd stick at to get his way. And he gets it to a degree that astounds those who don't know him. With all my heart, I warn you," he said, more earnestly than 1 had ever known him speak. The warning took effect ; it pricked the bubble of my fatuous self-conceit, and was in my thoughts all the next day as I was turning over the problem of broach- ing Sarita's affairs to Quesada. It must mean crossing swords with him, indeed ; and the result of such an encounter must at best be doubtful. I was fully conscious of this ; but at the time I had not a thought or suspicion of the infinite hazard and trouble that lay in wait to overwhelm me, and to which I was ndvancing with the precocious self-confidence of conceited inexperience. CHAPTER IX THE QUESADA VERSION AT the Minister's house the cordiality of my reccp- . t.on by both brother and sister was almost em- barrassing m its warmth. The Minister was effusive, elaborate, and demonstrative; the sister gen tie sohctous. and intensely earnest in her gratitude She pressed my hands, thanked me in simplf s nceVe me The h?d r;"' '^^"'"'^'^'^ "^- <^°-^-tly upon me. She had taken a quite exaggerated view of mv act. was bent upon setting me up for a hero and Z peaked to be resolved to act up to her ideal vie'w o^ th^ burden of the conversation upon himself, proved him- touch r' ^"j^*-*^'"'"^ --P-'on. Th'e one person" :rourSnt;:;r^^^^"^"^^'^"''^^^^^^^^^^^ abiiu^ 'l7"h """"''""^ ''"' ''"* ' '^°PP^^ y-^terday ««?"!;: asked".' ""' """"'°" '^^^^-^ °-^-'^ kinZfv'^r.^"'* "°'" ^ '"P""^- "' ''^^^ had some the^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^"^ -"^ ^^*^-' ''^ ' ^-'^ ^now exactly " It is in some respects a painful story, and one we If M4i too SARITA, THE CARLIST !li 118 ranrly, if ever, speak of ; indeed, it is known to but very Uiw people. But this is a family conclave, and if we may not open tiie cupboard of the skelt ton— as you English very grindy say— who may ? Uy the way, how excellently you speak Spanish. I should not know you for any but a Spaniard." " I was many years as a youth in Spain." " You have a wondi'rfnl idiom ; eh, Dolores ?" " I thought Senor Carbonnell was a countryman at first," she said, her eyes and face lighting as if that were a rare virtue of mine. " No, Dolores, you were wrong there. What he did for you was English work. Had he been our country- man he would have been talking, gesticulating, and scoding the rabble. But, instead, he acted. There was one thing possible to do, and with British practi- cality he saw it and did it instantly. No one but an Englishman would have thought of it. A Frenchman wouU' have rushed to the door and defied the crowd ; but that wouldn't have saved you. A German might have thought of what Carbonnell did ; but he'd have been only half-way round the carriage by the time Car- bonnell had the door open and had whisked you out. One of these confounded Americans might have done it —but he'd have tried to dash through the crowd, in at the wrong door and out at the right— too much in a hurry to go round the carriage first. He'd have done it, however. But it was the English character to see just what to do, and how to do it most easily, and then to do it in the same moment." *' You are still resolved to make too much of it," I cried, with a laugh at his comparisons. " Can we make too much of a cause that brings us a THE QUESADA VERSION ,or truth w?*"'' ''•'"'■7 f"^^" •" °"'" '•••'""y ''i^tory ; for in at er h j;r""^' ' ^'^''''^^ «^ '''""^-«. V.,ur grand them it '' '°k'' '''''■'°"'"" • ^"^ ^'>« youngest of n M "7 i f^^'eth.ng of a scapegrace-settled here mMadnd under the name of CasteL, fell in ove w h my father's youngest sister, Sarita, and ma ned hlr beilan F r\" "^"^"^"'•'•■' ''"o^ing nothing of his being an Englishman and the son of an English pee Be .des there was the religious difficulty. I wis a hd at the t.me, about ten or twelve>.ifs fi^Jnd-twe v years ago now-and remember the thing only vagudy but I know I was as indignant as the rest of us "and' he laughed, frankly and openly ' heL^si:;":^'" '^^^ ^^^^ ^'^^"^""^ °-' ' »>-« " Very. Could not have been worse ; and we did no learn who your uncle really was until after his wi^' death. She d.ed professing herself bitterly sorry for ^and as though the trouble^-ere to^gteat LT^orZ ' I have seen Sarita Castelar," I said ; and the ;« " Have you seen the brother. Ramon .'" he asked, 'f- l> 102 SARITA, THE CARLIST 1 ' 1 1 ■1 I i i 1 changing instantly to a smile. " He should prove inter- esting to you, if you knew all. But they both harbour the worst opinion of me ; and Ramon's opinions have taken the pointed and substantial shape of a dagger thrust uncomfortably close to my heart, and a bullet that proved him, fortunately for me, a very poor shot. But I could not endure that, and when we catch him he will have his opportunities of pistol practice cut short." He made light of the matter in his speech, but there was that in his looks which told plainly how bitterly and intensely he hated. "Don't speak of it, Sebastian," cried Dolores, shuddering. " I'm afraid our relationship is a little indefinite," I said. " My uncle married your aunt, and we are there- fore — what ? " " Staunch friends, I hope, Carbonnell ; closer friends, I trust, than many relatives are." " With all my heart I hope that too, senor," declared Dolores, and soon after she and Senora Torella, who uad scarcely said a word in Quesada's presence, left us. As soon as we were alone and had lighted our cigars, my host returned to the subject of the Castelars, and his open, unembarrassed manner of dealing with it sur- prised me. " You have seen Sarita Castelar, you say, Carbonnell ? She is a very beautiful girl, don't you think ?" and his keen eyes were watching my face as I answered. " Unquestionably. One of the most beautiful I have ever seen." " It is a coincidence, too, is it not ? — she is the image of her mother in looks ; you are not at ail unlike your uncle in looks, and you speak Spanish like a — as well as THE QUESADA VERSION 103 he did ; you are herein Madrid. It would be a strange coincidence if the parallel was to be carried a stage farther." *" "And I were to fail in love with her and marry her you mean?" If he could bluff, so could I ; and in neither my laugh nor my face was there a trace of anything but apparent enjoyment of a rich absurdity But It required no lynx eye to see that he did not enjoy my completion of his suggested parallel. "I'm afraid she'd have a poor sort of future. We younger sons of poor peers are not as a rule millionaires But she is a very beautiful girl." " She is a very extraordinary one, and her brother has had far too much influence with her. I fear some- times ■• he left the sentence unfinished, pursed his lips, and shook his head dubiously. " By the way, she and Madame Chansette— who is I believe, your late father's sister-are hopeful that the family will restore the property which I understand belongs to Sarita's mother and should have gone to her children." " Say rather you don't understand, Carbonnell " he cried, laughing and shaking his head. " The good and amiable Chansette has what you English call a bee in her bonnet on that subject ; and unfortunately the two children share the delusion. Why, if there was such property I should surely know of it ; do you think I should not positively hail the chance of providing adequately for Sarita ? Not for Ramon, perhaps. That I grant you. The young dog deserves the whip and worse. My very life is not safe while he is at liberty But Sarita— why, I like the child. I call her child' although she is four-and-twenty ; but as I am seven-and- I04 SARITA, THE CARLIST thirty, and she has always been a child in my thoughts, she seems so now. Wonderfully pretty, wilful, disobe- dient, resentful, always irresistibly charming, but still a child. Don't take her seriously, Carbonnell ; for she is just the type of woman, when taken seriously, for whom men rush even to the gates of hell." " Then there is no such property ? " I asked, quietly. "How like the practical, pertinacious, dogged Englishman ! " he exclaimed, laughing airily. " No, there is no such property, Carbonnell ; and anyone who married Sarita Castelar must be content with her beauty as her sole dower." It was impossible to resist the impression that under the words, lightly spoken and with an easy laugh, there lay a sneer and a caution for ne. It was the first note of his voice that had not rung true in my ears. " I am glad to have had that assurance, Senor Quesada," I answered, gravely. " My father charged me to see into the matter and I will report to him exactly what you say." We spoke no more then on the subject, and soon after we had joined Dolores and her duenna, her brother excused himself on the plea of State papers to read. After an hour or so of music and chatter, in which Dolores showed herself not only a beautiful singer but a most charming little hostess, the Minister came back to us, and did everything that lay in his power to make me feel that in him I had found a sincere friend. But Mayhew's warning, my previous knowledge of Quesa- da's acts and character, and more than all the sentence of his which had sounded false in my ears, had com- pletely changed my thoughts toward him, and I caught myself more than once listening for the proofs of his THE QUESADA VERSION 105 falseness even when he was making his loudest pro- fessions of good-will and friendship. And I went home saturated with the belief that he was, as Mayhew had declared, a most dangerous man. As a consequence, I did not believe a word of his version of the story about the Castelars and their prop- erty, but rather that he was ->ncealing the facts for his own purposes ; and it gave u.e more than one twinge of uneasmess during the three or four weeks which fol- lowed that, despite my feeling toward him, I should have encouraged his persistently maintained efforts to make friend and even close associate of me These efforts were indeed a source of constant sur- prise to me. I was an obscure nobody in Madrid ; and yet his overtures could not have been more cordial and earnest had I been the heir to a dukedom or a throne He invited me constantly to his house, would send me messages to go riding or driving with him, and indeed overwhelmed me with attentions. In truth it seemed to me he was so overdoing his part, supposing it to be mere playacting, that I was almost persuaded he must have some genuine personal interest in me. Certainly he did Ins utmost to make the time a pleasant one for me, and if I could only have had better news of Sarita I could not have failed to enjoy myself vvh^"' f 'n'i'""' ^ '^''^ "°' °"^^ ^^^ «'ght of her. When I called on Madame Chansette, Sarita would never see me. She was away from Madrid often, that good lady told me, and would not even hear my name spoken. ^ "I thought you would be such friends," she wailed dismally more than once ; '« but Sarita is so wilful I suppose you quarrelleu ; why, I can't imagine. I am I io6 SARITA, THE CARLIST 1 i ■.' ■ i lA sure you like her, and in the first day or two when you came, your praises were never out of her mouth. But I can't understand ' er." " Couldn't we arrange somehow for me to meet her ? " I suggested, presuming on the old lady's good nature ; for my heart had warmed at the unexpected avowal. "She would never forgive me," was her instant and timid reply. " She need never know," said I. " I will manage that. Let me know where I am likely to see her, say at eight o'clock this evening, and I'll take the risk of walking straight to her. I will come as if with news for you, and will take my chance." "Why are you so anxious ?" she asked, sharply. "Because I love her, Madame Chansette, and her safety is more to me than my own life. Now that we know Sebastian Quesada will give up nothing "—I had told her of my talk with him—" it is more than ever necessary for her to leave Madrid and abandon this wild business of intrigue." ♦' You will never persuade her." "I can at least try ; " and after a very little more persuasion she agreed and we arranged a surprise visit for that evening. I went home with pulses beating high in anticipation, and found news awaiting which would make one part of the plan genuine at least. T should have news for Madame Chansette, and for Sa.ita. My father was dead. He had died suddenly, a telegram from Lascelles told me, and I was summoned home with all speed. I rushed at once to the Embassy, obtained leave of absence, and made my preparations to leave for Lon- don that night ; scribbled a note to Quesada putting THE QUESADA VERSION .07 Off an engagement with him for th*. f«iu • s« oaf for Madan,. Chanse..; To^TZ^^ '"" wh.^,„g desire .0 see Sari.a before leavirspl""- The simple device effected ,fc ^ '"K^pam. front door was open anf :ra ^orS He""' '^'? hurried past to the room wher^ 1^1^ I r .^'''''^"^ ^ Sarita, I paused iust^ I . ^^^^ ^ ^''^^^^ ^"^1 "Ah, dear Madame ChanQ^tt- t news • " T o-o* ♦!, / . "^"^«"e, I come w th jrrave " My aunt is not here, sir. You mncf h .^:"'^rerair;Te::irr:r -- - because_a„y reason you 1 fce r ' . . ,'" '"'" ' having a, las. oaugh/y" t eL f„ r ^ ^^'"'='' " have been avoiding „e'for man da 7 w":"^; i^°" plied m Spanish, but slie kenf t„ ir ,■ !^ '^ ' '"■ spoke »ith grea! fluency. "^ ''"«"'''■ ""'"• ="' ? f n i< ti % ! I loS SARITA, THE CARLIST " Because I do not wish to see you, Mr. Carbonnell. You will please be good enough now to go away." She spoke in her coldest and loftiest tone. " I desire to be alone." " No, I shall not go away without an explanation. Why have you avoided me purposely for all this time ?" " I have given you the reason. I have had no wish to see you." " Thank you for your bluntness ; but you must carry It a stage further and tell me why." "Certainly. Because on a former occasion you rendered your presence objectionable to me," she re- turned in the same cold, level tone. " I am going to be very rude and objectionable again, Sarita, and ask you not to tell half a truth and then plume yourself on having said something particularly disagreeable ; " and I laughed. " I decline to accept that explanation. The truth is that you have been very angry with me, and I think your anger has lasted long enough — far too long, indeed, for relatives and such friends as you and I must be." " Insult is scarcely the badge which friendship wears," she exclaimed, changing to Spanish in her impetuosity. " Good. That's a distinct improvement on your cold assumption of callous indifference. Whatever may be your real feeling for me, at least I am sure it is not indifference." " No, I have told you ; you have made yourself objectionable to me," she flashed with spirit. " Because I told you I would thwart your wrongful intention in regard to the young King. I am still of the pame mind," THE QUESADA VERSION ,09 n.rnu.::'i„Ts/„i:r:rjf:"4 "' -"' '™- "■« cried, vehemently '^" "" ""« =S"i»." »l>e •• 1 am =„„ yourself upon me n this wav " iam sure you never thought that if ,1,. u '^^ came my way of seeino- »nH *,.'"« " 'ne chance be such a tritor to mv nw ''^ .'"«^ "• '"'"• ' '"ould But I am herra„dhrv'„o.°c°" " ^ ""' " "«^ ■«• come „ith new; thlt mr°„,e,° « ? """"• ' "^'^ bad news for me. an. of Lc"h ,r„,ir.. " '°"-'" " '^ in.e«iot°r«::er;i:r„fr'"°'' r "' '° "'-">■-'' «>•= and. sh.ug,i„f:j:hrd ^s .r d • tr '^a tt'- LTarrt'id.-"- -^— ' -rT^:;4t; symraX""' ""' '""' ■■"' """' ^o" ""' find " You mean > " -^^b^rtd'^rtrxu'^nind"^'^-- pleasure, for it to,d m^'" ""'" ' ""«""« «nse of intended. ™ """=" '»°« ">an Sarita bu'siiesr- '"" '" ''"'''•'" -S^'-"^ >-gc.y on your IP III /is • 1 -li , '•'•if rl IP^ no SARITA, THE CARLIST you upon your successful knight-errantry, too." She said this with a scornful shrug of the shoulders, and a delightful curl of the lip. Was it really possible she had disliked my visits to the Quesadas because I had helped Dolores out of the crowd that day ? " At any rate, my news will have the result you have wished for, Sarita. My father is dead, and I am leaving Madrid to-night." I watched her closely as I spoke, and saw her start slightly, bite her lip, and draw herself together. It did touch her, it seemed, although she was unwilling to show it. After a moment she turned and said, with an effort to be very formal : " I am very sorry for your personal sorrow." " Will you shake hands now, Sarita ? " I said, going towards her. " We are not children," she returned quickly. " I am going away " — and I held out my hand. " Good-bye." She put hers into mine, and I captured it and held it firmly. " I am going away — but I shall come back again." She tried to snatch her hand from mine at this, but I held it, and, looking into her face, said firmly, " I will not part in anything but good-will, Sarita. And when I come back to Madrid it must be to find you still my friend. Don't let any cloud come between us. There is no need, God knows I would rather have your good- will than that of anyone else on earth. Don't you believe this ?" "You had better not come back. It can do no good," she said. " You have taken sides against me ; you set yourself to thwart me in my chief est wishes ; your closest friends are my bitterest enemies. You know this. You know the wrongs they have done me and mine, and yet you make them your friends. It is THE QUESADA VERSION in wind? lir' °' ?""^' "'^^ y^" ^h°°«« for your tr !dtn ^"'-^■°" choose them." She looked up and tr ed to smile as though I had convicted myself.^ jnendshlp f. ..arvl ^ll^ te^rur^lT: -^h^I «I,VhV f / . ""^ ^^"^ '" ^^^"d who would think Qutadf ' • °' ^'^ '"^"'^'''' °^ ^"^'^ ^ -- - Sebastian "There is one man in Madrid who would give it tin SX" ^'°"^'' " ^^^"^^ ^^^ friendshi^Ts':.:^ kill utiU^"' ^°" •'"f''" '"^ ^"^"^^^'P in'Possible ; you k.I t w.th your violent hostility to my work." I shall be away I don't know how long-a week ion "t ;' ' r°"'' "^^ ^^-^"' ^'" -akf a sugg s-' olu'tionVtH °''."r ''^ ^'"^^ ^° ^^y -^ ^hink ou a solution of that difficulty-how to be friends even ness and anger were gone from her voic;, so .t. wh'n I pressed the poi,«, as I did with all the krnestnels at came m,o ,he -oom some minutes later, she was as ntensely surprised as she was pleased to find uTbo" shakmg hands over the bargain the^mtt""'"*'" *" * """P'"" ™<'"="iatio„ was in the making sent me off on my journey wi.h . v ighter heart than I should otherSa,e led a"nd 1 set myself diligently to work to tr^and htk „f some means of saying Sarila in spite of herself ■1: CHAPTER X IN LONDON MATTERS in London were pretty much of the kind customary when so gloomy an event has called together the members of a family ; va- ried, of course, by touches of individuality. My dear sister Mercy was quite unstrung by my father's death. She was the only one of us who had not been led to anticipate it, and the suddenness of it had roused that sense of awe which, perhaps, the sud- den death of a loved one can alone produce. She was as frightened and nervously apprehensive as if she had known that Death had a second arrow fitted to launch at another of us. My arrival did something to cheer her, and Mrs. Curwen, who was with her constantly at the house, joined with her in declaring that Mercy and I must not be separated again. It was not the melancholy side of the event which appealed to Lascelles. He was now head of the family, and the importance of that position filled his thoughts to the comparative exclusion of any mere personal grief. A peer of the realm was not as other men. The King was dead, long live the King — and the King in the hour of coming to his own had no time for vulgar indulgence in mere emotion. Three days after the funeral, he explained his wishes in regard to myself. r -^l IN London ,,i me for his will 'I'h ^*^*'*''" ''''^ Prepared "inrj-ne": •;: r;;r ! """' '■'» = """ •"- «''*^'- "You go very fast, F dinand, and I'm sure that in diplomacy y„„ „i„ „„. „„„ ■„ .dvanUgeous "o do tha " __ Aia^, yes. I, s a „jy ,^^, j^^j^ 1^^^ „ «u„ds S: (c. """'' "■"" """ '- "'PPa-y, but it " My dear Lascelles, a lone far*. ^ /.»,..«»• and, he white o, one's .yes-fri^^'.V^/S .H:; mlT"', "'"""''«' «PP>»'. and it jarred-jarred ver, aTho„.h „,"• "" :"' """'y "■« 'athU dea.7 compene'd LTT • "t"""" "' ""'""' P™i"on have Tof delr„:.'^" "■"'""' *'"-"'"■ ^ "- '■'^'^■ "" Well' in" T", 7"' «"'"« '" '^5- "">" ohange . " course I can t do more for you than-tha the will pro- I, 1; i: hi 114 SARITA. THE CARLIST videi, and I iiin glad you recognise that ; but there it one thing I can do— and perhaps I ought to do it now —and it will be of great, indeed of the greatest conse- quence to you." It was so unlike him to beat nervously about a sub- ject in this way, that I watched him in speculative sur- prise. " I think, you know, that you might— that in point of fact you ought to make a wealthy marriage ; and I believe that such a thing is quite open to you." What was he driving at ? " Isn't it a bit early to talk of this ? " I suggested. " Under other circumstances, perhaps, it might be," he said, speaking without hesitation now that he was well under weigh ; " but as it must affect your plans and movements a good deal, I have thought it de- sirable to broach the matter at once. I think you ought not to return to Madrid, but to remain here in London in pursuance of this object." " And who is the object I am to pursue ? What's her name ? " I could not resist this little play on his awkward phrase. " I wish, Ferdinand, you wouldn't catch up my words in that way and distort them. I meant project, of course. As a matter of fact, I am disposed to abandon in your favour the project I once had in regard to— Mrs. Curwen." There was a last hesitation in men- tioning the name, and a little flush of colour gave further evidence of his momentary awkwardness ; but having got it out, he went on rapidly and talked him- self out of his embarrassment, giving me a variety of reasons for his decision, and plenty more for my adopt- ing the suggestion. IN LONDON ,,5 ceUe. ?•• I asked, quietly, when he had exhausted him- "J think that's a very coarse remark, Ferdinand- quite vulgar ; and I am surprised at it." Perhaos he was right to be shocked, but'he reddened so n o' y' that I could see I had hit the target ; and for the life of me I couldn't help smiling. feelmg but a smcere desire for the welfare of one of the family ; but you must do as ^ou please " wJ/''R.!!'r '*'''' ^^"'^"*^«' *"^ "" do"bt you mean wen. But I m not going to marry Mrs. Curwen or any MaHr f' T' u"* "'°"'y • ""^ ^ ""' ««'"^ back to Madnd Ig there anything more?" and I got up to show 1 had had enough. ^ " No, there's nothing more, as you put it. But. of course. If you place yourself at once in opposition to my wishes, you can't expect me to " " Don't bother to finish the sentence. When I turn beggar I won't hold out my cap to you. Don't let us quarre . I went to Madrid to please you and help your plans, and I'm going back to please myself. And you 11 be interested to know that the most powerful Minister m Spain at this moment wishes to be a close friend of mine, and his house always stands open to me. I mean Sebastian Quesada." " I'm unfeignedly glad to hear it, Ferdinand." cried my brother, instantly appeased. "And if I can do anything to push your fortunes over there, of course my influence is at your command." "It's very good of you, and I'm sure of it," said I ■I- • 1 .j r 1 I' ] r Hi ii6 SARITA, THE CARLIST laughing in my sleeve at the notion of a man like Quesada being influenced by ray fussy, pompous, little brother. When Mercy heard of my resolve to return to Spain she was loud with her protests ; and I found that she knew of I ascelles* abandonment of his matrimonial project— and knew the reason too. He had proposed three times to Mrs. Curwen in the short interval of my* absence and had been refused ; the last time finally, and with a distinct assurance that nothing would in- duce Mrs. Curwen to marry him. When Mrs. Curwen herself heard of my return, she met it very differently. " I am so glad, Mr. Ferdinand. It would have been so tiresome if you hadn't been returning. I don't be- lieve I could possibly have ventured out there alone, and you can be of such use to me. And, of course, now that poor Lord Glisfoyle is dead, Mercy can go with me." "You are really ^[oing to venture out there?" I asked, not over pleased by the news. " Venture ? Of course I am. I'm going on business, you know. My lawyer has put before me a most tempt- ing speculation— a Spanish silver mine ; and I'm going out to look into it myself. A poor lone widow must have something to occupy her, you see. Now, you will be nice, won't you, and give me all the help you can ? " " I really think you'd better not go," said I; and I meant it very heartily. " You know, that's real sweet of you. It's the first nice thing you've said since you came back. It shows you take sufficient interest in me to wish me to keep out of danger." IN LONDON 1 J? "If you persist in going I can help you a gc J leal I think," I said, gravely. ' " Of course we're going." "Then I can introduce to you just the best fellow in the world-my old friend, Silas Mayhew, and he'll do everything you want." " I do think you're horrid, and that's a fact," she cried, turning away v/ith a pout of annoyance.' But nothing would stop her going, and such was her resolu- tion that she did not rest content until she had arranged to make the journey with Mercy under my escort. I fixed a date about a fortnight ahead, as I wished certain business matters arising out of my father's death to be settled before I left ; but I had a note from Mayhew a week before then with news which I regarded as very serious ; and it caused a change in my plans. After giving me some Embassy gossip, he wrote— "I am writing this mainly because I think you will care to know that some very disquieting rumours are afloat about Sarita Castelar. The Carlists have been unpleasantly active in certain districts, and I hear the Government— Quesada, that is— is meditating a number of arrests. Amongst those listed for this is, I have every reason to believe, the Senorita Castelar. ' " By the way, a letter came for you to the Embassy to-day, and I forward it with one or two more I found waiting at your rooms." The letter filled me with apprehension on Sarita's account, and fired me with eagerness to be back in Madrid. I sat chewing gloomily the thought of her dan;,or ; I knew how urgent it might be if Quesada once dec:..ed to strike, and I resolved to return to Madrid at once. Then I glanced hurriedly at the en- 'i )l It' lis SARITA, THE CARLIST .' i I ] i;;^ closed letters. Two or three were small bills, but one bore the Saragossa post mark, and the writing, a man's hand, was unknown to me. But a glimpse of its con- tents showed me its importance. It was from Vidal :*e Pelayo, and spoke of the plot which he himself hao mentioned, and showed me that all was now ripe. " I have obeyed your injunctions to the letter. I have never breathed a word to a soul of what passed when, on the greatest day of my life, I saw and spoke with you and held your hand, I have also done every- thing since that you have directed, and until this minute all was as I reported. But at the last moment those I trusted have failed me. The little guest must not come this way. Someone has betrayed us. You have never told me how to communicate with you under the altered circumstances ; and I take this desperate step of writing to the British Embassy to you. If I am wrong, forgive and punish me ; but I know not what to do. Only, if the little guest comes here on the 17th, all will be lost." I knew only too well much of what it meant, and could easily guess the remainder. The Carlists had been pushing forward their mad scheme of kidnapping the young King, and now everything was in readiness. Sarita's absences from Madrid were explained— she had taken alarm at my declared intention to thwart the scheme, and had herself been hurrying things on in the necessary quarters. It was clear that she or someone had communicated with Vidal de Pelayo, and had given him some fresh instructions in the name of Ferdinand Carbonnell— this was how I read his phrase : " I have done everything sincf that you have directed." and IN LONDON 119 " You have never told me how to communicate with you under the altered circumstances." He had pushed his preparations to the verge of completion, and then had come some hitch ; and being at his wit's end, and not knowing how to communicate with anyone, he had taken the step of writing to the Embassy, feeling sure, no doubt, that the authorities would not tamper with a letter addressed there. The date named was the 17th— the day on which I had fixed to start with Mrs. Curwen and Mercy. I had, indeed, been living in a fool's paradise, but there was,' happily, ample time yet for me to interfere and do something. By starting that night I could be in Madrid by the 14th ; and I went at once in search of Mercy to tell her of my change of plan. Mrs. Curwen was with her, as it chanced, and I told them both I was sorry, but that I was compelled, by news from Madrid, to hurry out at once, and must start that night. The widow was a practical little body, and having satisfied herself by a sharp scrutiny of my face that there really had been news which had upset me, she said — " I thought you were spoofing, you know, but I can see by your face there is something up. Can't you put it off till to-morrow } " " No, I cannot waste a minute." " Waste," she cried, with a shrug. " If this thing's bad enough to shake you out of your manners, it must be bad. But I don't think you need be quite so frank in calling it 7C'aste of time to wait for us." " I beg your pardon ; I didn't mean that. I mustn't delay." " That's better ; and we won't delay you, But, say, 1; \ 120 SARITA, THE CARLIST * ! ;:tp' I'll make a bargain with you. It'll be just an awful rush for me to catch any train to-night, and if you'll give me till to-morrow morning, we'll go by the day boat and travel special right through from Paris to Madrid. When a lone widow woman's going silver mine hunting, I suppose it will run to a special train anyhow. And I just love the fuss it makes." I demurred on the ground of the expense, the trouble, and the possible difficulties of making the arrange- ments ; but she laughed them airily away. "My dear Mr. Ferdinand, I can fix it up in an hour. One thing J did learn from poor A. B. C, and that was the power of dollars. You can have anything on a railway if you'll only pay for it ; and a member of the Madrid Embassy travelling hot-foot to Madrid with his sister and her friend could have twenty specials in twenty minutes, for a due consideration. It's a bar- gain then ? I must be off, Mercy, dearest. Whoop, but we'll scoop some fun in— I beg your pardon, I forgot. But it'll do you good to get out of this gloomy 'old house, dear, and there is no sin in a laugh or two. And if we don't enjoy our jaunt, may I never have another. Look here, to-morrow ten o'clock at Charing Cross, special to Dover. Good-bye," and she was gone. "You'll have to marry her, Nand," said Mercy. "And she really is a dear, honest-hearted thing; as good as she is indefatigable and energetic." " I can do better than marry her, I can find her a husband who can give her what she wants— some love in return." And I was thinking of Silas Mayhew. But the other matters were clamouring for my thoughts just then, Sarita, and the troubles and dangers she was coiling round herself ; the plot against the young IN LONDON 121 King ; the part I meant to play in it all ; and in the background the grim, stern, menacing face of Sebast an board, moving each p.ece with deliberate intent work- Stu Vm^' "^ ''^^^ ^^ '^ '^'^' ^^« opponent! for- ward t.11 the moment came to show his hand and strike The Idea took such possession of me that in the ^ . and in the dream came a revelation which clung to me even when I woke-that in some way.at present in" scrutable. unguessable. Quesada knew';il 'hat^Js Carhsts were planning, that it was a part of some in- finitely subtle scheme which had emanated by devio s untraceable, and secret ways from his own wily bra n' limltir" H "^ "''"''^'' '°^ ^^^ furtherance of his limitless, daring ambition. I was full of the thought when we reached the station at the time appointed and found the indefatigable widow before us. She had made all the arrangLentl and was lording it over the officials and impfessing 'u^on everyone the critical affairs of State business wWch mpelled the important member of the Madrid Embassy to travel in such hot haste to the Spanish capital I was a little abashed at my reception by them, and disposed to rebuke her excess of zeal ; but she only laughed and said :— • ^ "You ought to thank me for my moderation, indeed for I was sorely tempted to say you were the Ambassa- dor himself. But we shall get through all right as it >' ■' i il Hi'H h^-f i CHAPTER XI * '! !1 " THE WAYS OF THE CARLISTS WILL BE HARD." THERE is no necessiiy to dwell upon the incidents of that memorable journey to Madrid. As Mrs. Curwen had said, " we got through all right." We were, indeed, treated with as much con- sideration during the whole journey as if we had been personages of the most illustrious distinction, and I found that her agents had contrived in some way to have telegrams despatched to all points, advising the officials everywhere on the route to pay particular heed to our special, and to forward it by all available means. That we were a very distinguished party no one doubted, and Mercy was so excited by the results at different places and so exhilarated by the change of scene and by her friend's vivacity and high spirits, that the roses began to come back to her pale cheeks, her nerves toughened with every mile, and before we left Paris she was laughing with something of her usual lightheartedness. During the journey, Mrs. Curwen declared that as she was going out on business and I was going to help her, we had better discuss the matter fully. As I had looked upon the story of the silver mine as an ingenious fable, designed only to be a cover for her visit to Madrid, I was surprised when she put into ray hands a WAYS OF THE CARLISTS 123 quantity of papers having reference to the subject, and begged me to study them. "Shall we leave them until you think seriously of the thing?" I asked, with a smile, having, in truth, little taste for the business. " Seriously } Why, I was never more serious in my '; J! ""^^ ^'"^ '°'^ •' ^'■""' '^^'^'^ ^ big fortune in it.^^ What do you think I'm going there for ? » " To see Madrid and give Mercy a treat " Mercy laughed and glanced at her friend' who col- cured very slightly. " Partly that, and partly, too, to be there when there's someone I know there-and that's you. But I am also m earnest about this." "Then I'll read the papers with pleasure," said I and without more ado I plunged into them, and almost at the outset made a discovery which caused deep sur- pnse and excited my keenest interest. The land on ^^ Ju^ f r' ™'"* ^^' ^^'^ '° e'^ist was being offered by Sebastian Quesada, and it formed a part of the property which had belonged to Sarita Quesada- my Santa's mother. In other words it belonged by nght to Sarita and Ramon Castelar, and formed a por- tion of the estate the very existence of which Quesada had denied to me. I need not say how earnestly I studied the papers until I had mastered every detail of the case. I was. in fact,so absorbed in the work.and gave so many hours to It, that Mrs. Curwen at length protested her regret at having handed me the documents at all. I assured her, however, that it was fortunate I had read them as I was able of my own private knowledge to say there was a flaw in the title, but that I might I 124 SARITA, THE CARLIST !; '. J ; ^ ! 1 : : ! ji' lE^HB i be able to make arrangements when we reached Madrid by which matters could be put right. My idea was that the work of developing the mine might after all be done by means of her money, but that the advan- tage should be reaped, not by Quesada, but by Sarita and her brother ; and I resolved to tackle the Minister as soon as practicable after my arrival in Madrid. As we drew nearer to our destination, the possible embarrassments of Mrs. Curwen's and Mercy's pres« ence in Madrid began to bulk more largely in my thoughts. The first few days after my return were sure to find me deeply engrossed by the work I had to do, and I did not care to explain this to either of them. As soon as I knew for certain the time of our arrival, therefore, I wired to Mayhew to meet us. I was glad to find him on the platform when our special drew up, and we all went ofif together to the hotel, where rooms had been reserved by Mrs. Curwen. A few words ex- plained the situation to Mayhew, who was glad enough to take charge of my companions. " If anyone knows his Madrid, it's Mayhew," said I. "And he's a first-class pilot. My duties to the Em- bassy will be rather heavy for a few days, so you won't see much of me." I was glad that Mrs. Curwen was very favourably impressed by my friend, and as he was keen for Lon- don news, and she and Mercy were eager for Madrid gossip, the evening passed very brightly. As Mayhew and I walked to my rooms later, he was rather enthusiastic in the widow's praises. " She's a good sort, Silas, a real good sort — bright, cheery, and chippy," I said. " But keep off spoons ; or, at least, don't show 'em. She's beastly rich,and,like WAYS OF THE CARLISTS 125 tL?!; ^°'r!' '^''"^" everybody's after the dollars. rreat her l.ke any other unimportant woman. r!.ow her a bU of a cold shoulder now and then, conUdi " her, and make her go your way and not her own. put don', t T"5 °"^^^'°"^"y and make her feel it. more Tf ''' ^PPO^ntments you make, and pa; more attention to Mercy sometimes than ^ou do to her-m act, be natural and don't make yourself cheap, and-well, you'll save me a lot of trouble and be always sure of a welcome from her." ^ "You seem to know a lot about her." he said, drily. "She's my s.ster's chum. Si. and I don't want to be on duty for some days at any rate ;» and I plumed myself on havmg given him some excellent advice and rg;^:?rheTbo^r --'- '- ^^^ -^^-^ -- Then I turned to matters that had much more im- portance for me,and questioned him as to the rumour he had sent me about Sarita's possible arrest. It was no more than a rumour, and he had had it from a man pretty high up at the Embassy, who in turn had heard It whispered by a member of the Government " The most I can make of it. Ferdinand, is Ihat there ssomekmd of c<,up projected by the Carlists-I be- heve they are organising one or two simultaneous ris- mgs— and the Government are alarmed and will strike and stnke hard. In fact, at the Embassy we are look-' ng for lively times, and I thought you'd like to know «t. By the way. there was a queer-looking provincial found he'd been to your rooms." " He left no name or word ? " " No name, but said he had written you, and that his iJi "'i. ' 126 SARITA, THE CARLIST 111 '■^ i. I i;J 1 ! business was perfectly private and personal, but impor- tant." I jumped to the conclusion at once that it was Vidal de Pelayo.and that.having had no reply to his letter.he had risked another visit to me ; and I had no sooner reached my rooms, late though the hour was, than he arrived. He was looking haggard, weary, and anxious. " Senor, I have been waiting and watching for you three days here in Madrid. When no reply came to my letter and your further instructions reached me four days ago, I knew something must be wrong, and in my desperation I came here." " What further instructions do you mean ? Give them me." " Confirming the arrangements, giving me the time for the little guest's arrival at Huesca, and directing me to receive him. What was I to do, Senor ? I saw ruin to us all and to everything in this false step ; I could communicate with no one— what could I do but come here to you ? " He spoke wildly, and with patent signs of distress and agitation. " I have your letter, and have made the necessary arrangements. The little guest will not go to Huesca. Have no further care. You might have known I should not blunder in this way." I spoke with studied sharp- ness. " The blessed Virgin be thanked for this," he cried, fervently. " The fear has weighed on me like a blessed martyr's curse." " You need fear no more," I said, and was dismissing him when the possibility occurred to me that I might still make some use of him in the last resort. '• You will go back to Saragossa,and on the 17th you will pro- WAYS OF THE CARLISTS 127 ceed to Huesca I may bo there and have need of >ou Mea.nvh.Ie,s.lence like that of the grave • " and wuh some re words of earnest cautio^ selu away. If the worst came to the worst and the yo„njr K.ng was carried to Huesca on the ,7th I could -^ u.e this man to get possession of His ma esty ' I had still to learn how the actual abduction was to s out'"if "' ' ^'' 'r '''' °"'^ '" -hich to Ld this out. It was already the 14th ; and cast about in my thoughts as I would, I could see no way of dis" covenng a secret which meant life or death to those who knew it and would be guarded with sac ed JeTi! ousy and closeness. ^ certainly fad. The young King was protected and ::e n^t^e '"' ""T' ^'^^'^"^^ ^ ^'^ ^—^^ were not even premeditated and were scarcely ever c.rc e of the Palace ; he was never left alone ; and the whole arrangements for his safe keeping might have been fran.ed with an eye to the prevention of fust such an attempt as was now planned. Yet here were these Carlists fixing a day well ahead for the enterprise, making all calculations Ld arrange ments, and taking it for certain that they would have l>e opportunity which to an onlooker seemed an abso lVr:f '"^ 'l '^'"^^ -completely th^t night: Sebastian o" I' ""' -orning I sent a note to w shed t„^ ';^' announcing my return and saying I Wished to see h.m ; and a note came back by mv njessenger asking me to call on him at once at Z His greeting could not have been warmer and more 128 SARITA, THE CARLIST cordial had I been his oldest friend returned after a long absence. At the moment of my arrival he was engaged, but by his express orders I was shown in- stantly to him ; he dismissed the officials closeted with him with the remark that even that busmess must wait upon his welcome of me ; and had I not discouraged him I am sure he would have kissed me after the Span- ish demonstrative style. "I have missed you, Ferdinand," he said, using my Christian name for the first time, and speaking with the effusiveness of a girl. " I have missed you more than I could have believed possible. Our little chats, our rides and drives together, have become necessary to me — that is a selfish view to take of a friend, is it not ? — but they have been delightful breaks in my too strenuous life. When I got your little note an hoar ago I felt almost like a schoolboy whose chief companion has just come back to school. I was grieved to hear of Lord Glisfoyle's death." We cba "ed some time and then he surprised me, "I s , ase you know the world's opinion of me, Ferdinand — a hard, scheming, ambitious, grasping, avaricious item of human machinery, all my movements controlled by judgment, and conceived and regulated to advance only along the path of my own self-interest. What a liar the world can be — and I am going to show you this. I have been thinking it out while you have been away. You remember in the first hours of or friendship you spoke of the Castelars and their prop- erty, and you seemed surprised at my declaration that they had none. Well, I resolved for the sake of this new thing in my life, our friendship, *o have the matter more closely looked into. I have done this, and I find WAYS OF THE CARLISTS 129 I have been wrong all these year.,. Certain property that I have looked upon as mine, is theirs, and I am jett.ng ready to make them full restitution. It wiU at present barren and profitless, which I believe has most valuable deposits of silver.' I shall reZrlit o them as s( ,n as the formalities can be concluded • and you my dear friend, shall, if you desire, be th b'earer of the news to them; for it is to you. to our friend- ship, that in fact they will owe it." " I am unfeignedly glad to hear this," I exclaimed I was m truth lost in sheer amazement alike at the But sod" "' "' ''^ "°^'^* *° ^^'^h he ascribed U But so deep was my distrust of him that I could not sufle the doubts of his candour, even whil he wa speak.„g, and my thoughts went flying hither Tnd thither m search of his real motive. Cou.d he in any way have guessed that the facts were in my posls ion'? Did he know that his agents in London had put the ::t^j:d^?,'"^^^"-"^^^^-^^^^^-^ h s httle act of just.ce as the outcome of our friend- h p Ferdmand-smcere. genuine pleasure. And now let us speak of another matter. Have you ever heard Of your name having been used here in Spain >" Tha question came with such sharp suddenness that I was unprepared with a fencing reply. meldnl' L^T" ^T"^ ^o'^ething of it," I answered, meetmg the keen glance he bent on me "It is a curious business. Don't tell me what you already. But if you have played with this thfng at all. 130 SARITA. THE CARLIST I beg you be cautious. If I were to tell you the nature of some of the reports my agents bring me, you would be intensely surprised. Happily our friendship enables me to distinguish accurately between my dear friend Ferdinand Carbonnell,and — the other. All do not hold the key to the mystery, however, and — well, perhaps it is fortunate in many ways that I do possess it. I tell you this now, because,while you have been absent from Madrid, strange things have occurred, and we are in the midst of much danger. Even as I sit here talking to you, it is scarcely an exaggeration to say the very existence of the Government, aye, and of the Monarchy itself may be trembling in the balance." " You mean this ? " I cried. " My dear Ferdinand, on some things I never make mistakes. You know I have opposed this clamour for war with all my power, putting all I have of value to the hazard in that opposition. I have done that because I see as plainly as if the events had already occurred how hopeless would be a war for Spain. We can scarcely hold Cuba as it is, and Manila is but another name for menace. Can we dream then of winning when all the wealth and power of America is thrown into the scale against us ? Alas, my poor, infatuated country ! " He leant back in his chair, lost for a moment in deep meditation. " They prate to me, these fools, of European inter- vention and help. Who can intervene ? Or if interven- ing, can do aught but dash themselves fruitlessly against the naval might of your country ? If only Eng- land would speak the word! Then we might hope indeed; and then in all truth I would cry for war. But as it is, what else do we resemble so much as the swine Ways of the carlists .3. of the Gadartnes inspired by the devils of our emntv pnde to rush down the precipice of war tollllnl certa,„ r„„, ? Ah, Ferdinand, my friend, p°ay to God -or whatever you hold for a God, that it may never ^ and vet nn 7 *^ '" ''"'" ' ^"'"^ "■= '"'"' -^'^arly he cr^:dSr '° ""' " " " " '"'^^'' '"'"«= '■ " The war could still be averted," I said. He smiled and shook his head. « At what cost? Good God. at what cost r At the the .u T"]"''""' '^' °^^«hrow of the monarchy, he outbreak o Civil War ! And to do what-to over- set one feeble family, and prop up another. Was ever a country cleft by such a sharp and cruel sword ? " nrln '''r''* ^^""^ 'P^'^"" '° '"^ '" ^his strain sur- Cn K™^'r *^°"^^ ^^ ^^^ frequently discussed freedot ^ If't'* '' ''' "'^^•" ^P^''^" ^'^^ such flee '^^'"*''' *° '"^^'^ '''^ ^''^^^^^^ •" «»y "You wonder why I speak so frankly. I have IZTl T^ ''°"'" *' ''"'"'"^^ "^'^^^ ^" »"«" will know he ruth as I see .t now. Then it is a relief to speak • I believe even the highest mountains and tallest trees grow weary at times of their solitude. And lastly we are ou the eve of stirring events, and I must warn you to be doubly circumspect in regard to this coincidence of your name In the hour of her agony, Spain may prove s , j„ ^,^ ^^^^ of the'lnquisitfon! secret!"' ' ' '"°" ^°" ^"^"^^^ '- ''-p " Will you tell me one thing? U Sarita Castelar in danger and likely to be arrested ?" 132 SARITA, THE CARLIST I I i "She has been foolish, wild and reckless even in her Carlism. And if the outbreak comes and any rising, the ' ways of the Carlists will be hard.' But of this be «ure — she may always reckon now that I will try to save her ; although any hour may see my power broken. If war comes, Ferdinand, it will be largely to divert the dangers of Carlism. And then, no man can say what will follow." He spoke with apparently deep earnest- ness of manner ; and as he finished, a clerk came with a paper which caused him to end the interview and send me away, urging me to see him again shortly. I had scarcely been more impressed by any event in my life than by that interview, and for all he had said in explanation, the reason for his conduct was a mystery ; and a mystery which after events were to render infinitely deeper, until the hour wh-n the clue came into my hands. I could not shake off the disturbing thought that throughout all he was misleading me and using me for some presently unfathomable purpose. But one result was clear — he had given me good news to carry to Sarita ; and when the time came for me to go to Madame Chansette's house, the thought of Sarita's pleasure at my news, and the hope that I might use it to induce her to leave this atmosphere of intrigue and danger, found my heart beating high. Friendship ripens as fast as fruit in that sunny land ; would she be as glad to see me again as I to see her ? Had she been counting the minutes to the time of our meeting as eagerly as I ? I asked myself the questions as I stood on the doorstep waiting impatiently to be shown to her. if H CHAPTER XIl sarita's welcome IF brightening .yes, rising colour in the cheek ra- " Wegotyour message and I have been soimnaii-n, •• she sa.d holding both my hands in hers " Z ye" so anxious." " "^^ so swe'etn"s^o7he? '"' °" '" ^^"" ^ ^° ^"^ ^^e subtle sweetness of her presence ; to listen to her -jice • to watch the p ay of feelings as each left its Tark on h r Z'tTr :T''' '" ^°"^^ '^^ hand and have left all trustfully m mine ; to have the sunlight of her smihng eyes warming my heart ; to revel in the thou sand essences of delight which spread around her Ih me L.fe ,s good, and youth and beauty are good also but love .s best of all. And my heart told me ii Xfa'h/rm r *"""^'^^"' '^^'^'^ ' lovedTer, and 7uT L ^ ^'^ ''^' '" ^^^ '"^'•e 'oving. But these thoughts do not help the tongue to frame commrn T 1'^^'?^°°"^ '° ^^ ^'"'^ y°" ^ff^'". Sarita;-was all I sa.d for some moments; and we just laughed and "ne anlTir ''' '"'^ "^^ ^^ ^°°^ - ^^^ ™-t spar klmg and bnlhant conversation that ever wisdom con ceived and wit clothed in phrase «nntf ^k' ^" °"J '"'"" ^ ^^''^^^ ^e understood one another better than ever before. To me I know that nm s ■! 134 SARITA, THE CARLIST the moments of inarticulate nothingism were more elo- quent in meaning than any words ; for somehow by that subtle instinct or affinity, that strange other sense that has no physical attribute and is all alert and power- ful at times in the best as in the worst of us, I felt I did not love in vain, but that this woman, peerless to me among women, who held my hands and smiled to me with all the witchery of loveliness, was swayed by some of the same weird, delightful, thrilling, tantalis- ing emotions which bewildered me. What stayed me I know not ; but the swift, sudden, rushing temptation seized me to draw her to my heart and whisper some of the love thoughts that were whirl- ing with mad ecstacy in my brain ; and when I paused as though greatly daring and yet not daring enough, I think my heart must have spoken straight to hers, for with a vivid blush, she shrank, cried " No, no," tore her hands from mine and, breaking away, ran swiftly to the end of the room, and stood, her flashing pride laid by, palpitating, trembling and glancing at me like a timid child. A long hush fell upon us, and when it had passed, I had retaken control of my emotions and was myself again. But in that instant I know that our hearts spoke and were laid bare each to the other. " I bring you some very strange news, Sarita. Per- haps the last you would expect." " From England ? " " No, it was waiting here in Madrid, though I brought out from London something that might have influenced it." " That is very clear," she laughed. " Sebastian Quesada has decided to make restitution SARITA'S WELCOME 135 p2e "b^Ts" ' "" """""'^ '" '""•= ^'Sn of .„. sum said : ^"' ■"•"'• '"" »"" «««""S -" i"- •• You have seen him before coming here >" I went to him to try and force the act of restitu 'e?o«sJaneTmt °'""'" "'« ' """ '-'""-<' he forestalled me by announcing hi, intention to malce had tllutrr-''"*'' '"""■"""''" ""='■- '^« ^O"' ha^e^'n'ownT"' '° "" ' ""' ' """'' ^ -o" "' ""'^ '• You are no match for him, Ferdinand. Bnt there s no men. m his act even if sincere. He did no iy :c:.:d:"idrv:"^"'^'°-'""''' -" "■= •»<«" - oomJIie'S'luh."^" " "™ " "■' ">■ '""" "» b» Itisasafepromise-forheknows." ^ Knovs what ? '• combed' wth-X^T'''"" "" ""™=»"« "■" "= serio'Lsfan^si.esS^d "' "" ""'"«'"'•"• -" ^^ in «mi:^Vhe "wTs'i^^irh"'","' "' ' ''"■^'^■' "> ^ "fted it .0 look™ '^ ;?,,-;' '^rw°a"„t'." '""' ^"•' too,Sarita-I know vou ar^n . ' *" ™™ Xou, you ,0 abandon thil"'^ ^ ''^"«"-^"<" 'o "rge " You think I am in dancer ? Ah v^^ i- j n;^ I' -■• I \ V.I- 1 r- 1 .: :! I. 136 SARITA, THE CARLIST " Would that be serving my country and my cause ? " "It would be serving your family." She laughed, and the music of her laughter was indescribably sweet. "Family," she repeated, half-mischievously, half- earnestly. " I believe you are very much in earnest, Ferdinand, and I forgive you. I am not quite sure you are not foolish. But if anyone else said that, do you think I could hear another syllable from them ? It is a counsel of treachery ; and such counsel comes ill from the lips of a friend." " You allow now that I am a friend then ? " " How solemn you English are, when — when you are solemn ! " she cried, smiling again. " Do I think you are a friend? Yes, I do, in all truth. I know it. We shall not quarrel again. I believe you are so much my friend that, if I would let you, you would ruin yourself for me. That is how you would read friend- ship and how I read you. But I will not let my family do that." " And how may I read you ? " I said, quickly. " How do you read me r " she retorted, with unwonted eagerness. " How would you have me read you ? " " How would I have you read me ? " She paused, glanced away, and then, looking me straight in the eyes, answered seriously and meaningly. " As what I am, not as what I might have been. You of all the world must not make the mistake of confusing the two." " I do not mistake. What you might have been is what you shall be, Sarita," I said, earnestly— so earnestly that the expression in her eyes changed slightly, and she turned them away and started, and I thought she trembled. She knew my meaning ; and 'IMMta SARITA-S WELCOME ,37 in no rill Z7: tWTu r "" ""' ''"<"'• I - tl.. end of the sentence ^nd.r°'" "^""'^ '^'''^ '<> as if looking for ^r 1 f °."°"'' "" '«' "ords »ade none* Instead iZTh ". '™"' ""• ""' ' Iwo„Id„„ttakei"tio„s,/'''''"'' '"^^ "^ '■««'• J Jedn;4:d"tndt": si" f ' '^" .""'•"• «"« reception of the nets " ' l>oar« with rage ' " "" * ™'« ""-^ky and wu^pr;: c^ oTi:::,,;br::r = " -- "saHtaTL-b'-r'-O -« '-"betd:^"' ^' arms, tied pa,e and"*" j"""'' """'"'^ '™" ""y With agitatlX utrs::" " "■= '"" """• '"-"'"^ I\ ■; i •'I 140 SARITA, THE CARLIST " I have tK>wn passion, and the harvest will be death," she murmured, repeating my words. " Heaven have mercy upon us." •♦ Or upon him," I answered. " But we need not take it quite so seriously. Come, sweetheart," and I held out my arms to her. " No, no, no. It can never be, Ferdinand. I was mad," she cried distractedly. " It was a very sweet madness, and shall last our life- time," I answered, but she would not let me place my arm round her again. " As you will," I said, gently. "The knowledge of your love is all in all to me. The rest I can trustfully leave to time." '♦You must go, Ferdinand. I forgot that he was coming this afternoon. You have made me forget everything. Oh, I am mad. Now, all may be lost." The words jarred. •• Lost," I cried ; and then a sudden divination of her meaning and of Livenza's visit flashed into my mind. " He was coming, of course, for this business of the day after to-morrow — but you will abandon that now, Sarita?" " How did you know ? Is it guess or knowledge ? " and her startled eyes and parted lips told of her sur- prise. " I was with Quesada this morning," I answered, the words coming in obedience to an impulse that I could neither account for nor resist. " I am afraid of you, Ferdinand. How do you learn these things ? How much do you know ?" "My dear one, you are playing with weapons of death, and with men who will but use and then fool you. Your one chance of safety and of happiness lies ■^ MU^^g^ SARITA'S WELCOME 141 in trusting me. Leave all this seething maelstrom of mtngue. and come with me away from ! a^ I pleaded wuh all the force at command and w h a i the power of love to back the appeal. But my note was a wrong one SariM m„ i would have yielded, but Saritf. the Cart w'asstil The stronger; and my appeal fell on ears deadened by pleaded. * ""^ '"' '" ^>'«P^^hy as I "You must not tempt me to treachery, Ferdinand and I cannot I dare not, I will not listen. I shou,d desp.se myself. Remember what I told you when fir t we met. Vou came too late " "' " I will not hear that. I will not let you be sacrificed You are mme, Sarita, bound to me by L bonds of our* love and, come what may. I will save you from this despite yourself." ' '"'*» " Do you think I heed myself in such a cause ? Then you httle know me. What you ask is impossible th« one thmgin all the world you should ever ask o~ va;n Ferdinand. But this'l cannot grlnt.''' °' "' '" I will not take that answer. I know you to be in bducX tEfK^'" '°" '^^^"^- ^^''^i-chrer profit r..^ ^"^ "^''■' *° ^""^^^' how would you p ofit ? Can't you see the master-craft that is direct n^ t; of'treT '"'Tf'y-- -'^ - -re than the p p^ pets of the man who does nothing without a nnrnl and everything for the one purp'ose of h[s own ^ VouC lisT:ritf "•^:'"°"°^' ^'^ -"'^ ^^ ouL.arl.ss ? 1 o the w.nds with such a dream When has Quesada lent himself to a cause which waT'no fZ h. own advantage ? Have you asked yourself ^u; 142 SARITA. THE CARLIST How would he stand to gain by any such change ? What were hii words to me to-day ? By heaven, I begin to see his master-stroke now. You are his dupe, Sarita, nothing but his dupe. You told me once you knew his heart— aye, but you have not yet measured the height of his ambition ? To • overset one feeble family in order to set up another' — that was his phrase. Where, then, is his profit in this ? He lets you think you have won him over through his love for you ; that you know his heart ; that he will help you for this coup if you in return will be his wife. Sarita, are you blind ? What think you is the meaning of the careful network of preparations to strike at all you Carlists ? What are those copious lists of names already in the hands of his agents? To help you Carlists, or to crush you ? By God," I cried, passionately, as a great light burst in on me—" I see the object. He would have the young King out of his path ; and yours are the hands by which it shall be done. And when you have done it, do you dream that he will help to set up another King ? What would be his chance ? Picture it. Once the young King were away, who would be supremo in this Spain of yours? Who is the most powerful man to-day ? To whom would the eyes of the people turn in the hour of kingless crisis ? To him or to Don Carlos ? No, no, I tell you his power in that moment would be all but supreme, and he would use it to crush relentlessly you very Carlists whom he had used to clear the way for him. Surely, surely, you can see now that you would be the dupe and naught else, and that he aims at securing power that shall be nothing less than supreme." Sarita listened to my rapid, excited speech with SARITAS WELCOME .43 gradually paling cheek, and when I finished her hr-»>l, -no. He ...,:. ILxcSL::?.^--^- loully"' "°*-''^^-»-" Q"esada>" Icried,incredu. J Pare not. A hundred dagger, would flash at his " Aye. but the hundred hands that could thrust them would be rotting in his prisons " benive'it'XT'''\'7°"'*''*^' ""P°^^'^'«- I -n't aen me. I am fevered and frozen in turns by the thoughts you kindle, I must have time " ^ " ^'^' •"* "f ^ a 'a«t appeal, Sarita. Marry me and come away. Leave all " -'f/ me ana "No, no" she broke in, passionately. "I cannot l:::Z/''' '- "^'^^^^'^'^ ^^^^ ^ coward's^ht "Well then, postpone this attempt on the voun^ ':!hin"k." '°" '^^^ '^' '''' ^" ^"^"'- -^ -rcT "I cannot think now. I will see you to-morrow-or better, will think over all and write you." ""^^^ "No, I will come to-morrow" I «aiH "d you will see me." ' ^- ^'■^""^^ "If I am in Madrid, I promise," she said ; and with be:;'traC°^ '''''' -'- ^^^ agitated, I'thou;:;-' lorn "sX"' rVr rr""^'" '''^' '"' ^-"^ y°"r ver, barita. The knowledge we have gained of each other to-day, is knowledge for all our tfme. My love |) i 144 SARITA, THE CARLIST can never change ; neither will yours, that I know. To-morrow, it will be the lover who will come to you, sweetheart. I shall have all in readiness for our de- parture. Till to-morrow, good-bye." I took her hand and tried to kiss her, but she would not suffer me, and when I looked in her eyes, I saw, to my consternation, they were full of tears. Knowing how intensely she must be excited and agitated to shed tears, and that it would distress her still more for me to remain and see her weakness, I turned away and went out. I was scarcely less excited than Sarita, and, driving at once to my rooms, sent a messenger with a note to Silas Mayhew, asking him to come to me without fail in two hours' time, and sat down to try and clear the tan- gle of my thoughts. I had guessed much of the des- perate intrigue that lay behind the abduction plot, and felt that I had guessed rightly the part which Sebastian Quesada was playing. But there was more that I did not know, and I had to learn it if the project was yet to be thwarted and his scheme exposed. More instantly pressing than all, too, was the grave question of Juan Livenza's intentions. The look he had cast at me had murder in it, and I must find him and let him do what he would at once. It was for this I needed my friend Mayhew's help. I dined in my rooms, and sat pondering the puzzle and piecing to- gether the ends until I began to see the meaning of it all. While I was thus engaged, a note came from Quesada, couched in the usual informal, friendly terms, and pressing me, in his and his sister's name, to go and see them that evening, and adding that he had something particular to tell me. I scribbled a reply that I had an SARITA'S WELCOME 145 engagement, and had just despatched it when Mayhew ti^\TT 'r' "" u"^ ^"'^ ^i^istUng, with a light ques- on on ha. hps; but, seeing the look on my face he "That' T^"' '"' ''^ '''' ^'"^ ^--"^ - --e .. ^^^' f *he matter ? What has happened ? " I cant tell you everything, Silas, but I'm in the th.ck of a quarrel, I fancy, and may knt you to ee me through with it. The man is that CoLel Juan L.venza I have spoken to you about, and I want you to comewuh me this evening when I put myse- in his way to see what follows." f j m nis an r::' r t^:-^^t Tc^z d^T r '°°'""° °' "" «"'"'J' »f "-e matter in "sat on "d 7^" '" """ ---nonplace co" versation and Mayhew, seeing this, fell in with mv CaK de 1 Europe, bat when the place came in siVt I 00k my fn„d., arm, and began to chat mnch fmy usual manner. It occurred to me that Live„.a might eeus^andlwas unwilling to let anything in m^rn duct display a marked difference from my „s"Il de" meanour. ^^^^ai uc- We pushed up the broad steps and into the maenifi cent room that all Madrid knows and admirerbut' urelvTofTf °' ^'-"-^ -^'^ having Assured used hv . ' 7 r'"' °" '"^° '^' «^^"^- saloon used by certam of the constant frequenters of the iW'*' t,;. 146 SARITA, THE CARLIST place. He was there, sitting at a table with a couple of friends, away to the right of the door. I did not appear to notice him, but led Mayhew to a table at some distance from him, and called a waiter. It was not ray cue to force any quarrel. I designed merely to give Livenza an opportunity of doing so if he wished. Acting on a hint from me, Mayhew placed his chair so that he could keep the three at the other table under observation, and, having given an order, we lighted our cigars and began to chat quietly. " He has seen you," said Mayhew, after a minute or two, "and is speaking of us to the men with him. They are getting up, and, I think, are coming over to us. His face is livid, Ferdinand, and his eyes are burning like those of a man with a fever. What's he going to do ? Yes, they are moving this way." I pulled myself together, continued to smoke calmly, and, leaning forward, went on chatting unconcernedly as I waited for the approach of the man whose heart, I knew, was a very furnace of rage and jealous hate of me. And I will confess it was a tense, exciting moment. ■I 1' ^: 1 i ii I ii ! ''«^ CHAPTER XIII THE FIGHT THE Red Saloon at the Caf6 de I'Europe, as the room th' were in was termed, was a well-fre- quented resort, and at that hour in the evening was generally full of visitors. But that night there were more empty tables than usual, and at one of these, quite close to us, Livenza and his two companions stopped and sat down. They were well within earshot, and Mayhew, after a warning glance to me, began to speak on indifferent subjects. I did not for a moment understand Livenza's inten- tion, but it was soon made unmistakably clear. When the three had ordered some fresh drinks, they began to speak on the topic which was in all Spaniards' thoughts at the moment— the strain with the United States and the probable action of England. The conversation began quietly, and Livenza himself took no part in it for some minutes. The references to England grew gradually more bitter, however, until Mayhew was get- ting restive. " There'll be a row if we stop here," he leant forward and whispered. '• And you know how urgent the chief IS about not getting into a mess." "Wait," I whispered back. « This is only a blind." "Well, they're talking at us right enough, and I don't like It." M ;! r I;- •, i 148 SARITA, THE CARLIST " I don't want to drag you into it. If there's anyone here you know, go and chat with him for ten minutes ; but don't leave the room." " Hullo, there's Pezzia," he exclaimed aloud a moment later. " I haven't seen him for an age. Ex- cuse me, Carbonnell ; " and he got up and went to a table at a distance. I heard one of the three snigger, and mutter some- thing about discretion and that kind of courage which saves the skin by prudent flight. But fortunately Mayhew heard nothing, and I took no notice. There was a paper lying near, and I picked it up and began to read. Without any conscious intention, I turned to the paragraph of Court gossip for any news of the young King's movements, and my attention was instantly caught and held by the following : — " We have reason to state that His Majesty and the Queen Regent have been much touched and gratified by the evidences of devoted and affectionate loyalty displayed by the Madrid populace during the recent unattended drives in the streets and suburbs of the capital. These drives are taken with no more ostenta- tion than those of any private citizen, and their un- ceremonious character affords eloquent proof of the mutual trust and affection which exist between the Royal Family and the people. They are quite uncere- monious. The route is frequently decided only at the last moment, and the statement of a contemporary that, although seemingly no precautions are taken, the whole route is under close polif e supervision, has no founda- 'lon. Yesterday, for instance, the route as first planned was changed almost at the instant of starting, and thus .«i*i THE FIGHT 149 no such precautions could have been taken even had they been necessary. But the Royal Family rely upon the loyalty of their subjects, and, thank God, do not rely m vain. Wherev - the young King is seen, the populace had him with delight, cheer him from the heart, and would protect him with their lives. Every day sees his hold upon the affections of his subjects strengthen, and nothing could more clearly prove this than the spontaneous evidence of Madrid's loyalty which these unceremonious incidents evoke. It is well known, too, that the trust in the people thus displayed had Its origin in the suggestion of a powerful minister who, better than any of our countrymen, can gauge the stalwart, gallant loyalty of the Spain of to-day to the Monarchy, even in the midst of a national crisis such as the present." I was so engrossed by this, and by the thoughts it stirred— for I saw intuitively what it might mean to the scheme for the young King's abduction, and I read between the lines the cunning work of Quesada— that for the moment I lost touch with the proceedings of Livenza and his companions ; but a remark from him brought me back in a trice. " Ugh, they make me sick, these English, with their lying hypocrisy and their insolent cant about God and their everlasting bibles. I can stand an American— he IS at least an honest man and an open enemy ; but your Englishman is all frothy godliness on the top, and rottenness, lies, and cowardice beneath." One of his companions laughed, and the other said— " That's pretty strong, colonel, and sounds almost personal. " " It is personal, too, for there is just such a fellow in ,'i ■•r\ t 1 1 Ih ^S 150 SARITA, THE CARLIST Madrid at the present moment. A sneaking, lying, treacherous cur, ready to yap at you from a safe dis- tance, but, when faced, all in a quiver, sticks his tail between his legs and runs yelping behind a woman's skirts, or some such safe shelter. Like the vest of the cowards, he has kept out of my way for fear of getting his ears boxed ; but all Madrid shall know of his cur- rishness. His name is " I pushed my chair back and stood up, and at the same instant the three men sprang to their feet, while the conversation at the tables near us died away and all faces were turned in our direction. Livenza was still livid with his passion, save that a hectic spot flushed each cheek, the surrounding pallor throwing up the crimson into strong relief. His eyes burned like coals as he faced me, his nostrils dilated, and the corners of his mouth were drawn down in an ugly sneer. Less than an arm's length separated us. " Oh, are you there ?" he cried, insolently. " I think you knew that," I answered, coolly. It was generally my good fortune to be able to keep my head in a crisis. Ay coolness exasperated him. "You heard what I said, gentlemen," he cried, furiously. "This is the Englishman himself. I will show you how to deal with a cur of an Englishman." He was beside himself with fury, and he raised his hand to box my ears. But the blow never reached me. As he raised his hand— and the whole room could see his intention— I clenched my fist and struck him in the face. His head was turned slightly on one side, and the blow caught him just under the jaw on the left side, and so hard did I hit him that he was knocked off his feet and fell a-sprawl over the table, scattering the glasses in all directions with a noisy clatter. • . THE FIGHT ,5, In an instant the place was in a buzzing uproar and men from all parts of the room came crowding round while Mayhew, white and anxious, rushed to my side ' "It's all right, Silas," I said, still perfectly calm. The brute insulted me grossly, and was going to strike me when I saved him the trouble. Some of these gentlemen must have heard him." At that a tall, soldierly-looking man pressed forward and said — ' " I heard it all, senor. It was disgraceful. If my testimony can be of any use to you, here is my name • " and he handed me his card. He was a Captain ToU Pescada. "Thank you. I am glad to have your word" I replied. * Meanwhile, Livenza's friends picked him up and gave him some brandy, for the blow had shaken him pretty considerably ; and after a hurried whisper to- gether one of them left the room with him and the other turned to me. " This matter cannot end here, of course," he said " Who will act for you ? " "You mean you are the bearer of a challenge from Colonel Livenza ? " He bowed formally. " If you will come to my rooms in a quarter of an hour— I am going there direct— I will have matters arranged." I gave him the address, and with a bow he left me. "As you witnessed the insult. Captain p'escada can you come with me now?" He assented readily' and we three drove to my house, the captain loud' and angry in his condemnation of Livenza's conduct « There is more in this than lies on the surface -entle- men," I said. " There is a very bitter quarreLunder- 152 SARITA, THE CARLIST I 'I neath it, and Colonel Livenza has chosen this ground for bringing it to a head. You will understand, there- fore, that the fight will be no ordinary one, and no doubt when his seconds come they will bring an inti- mation that the duel must be d outrance. I am prepared for that, but as I am the challenged party I shall make my own conditions. The fight must take place to-night." "By the Cross, that's quick work," muttered the captain. " Do you really mean this, Carbonnell ? " asked Mayhew, nervously. " I never meant anything more seriously in my life. It is a very ugly business, and the sooner it is put through the better. My conditions are equally strin- gent. I am no great hand with either sword or pistol, and have no intention to be a target for a man whose skill is probably twenty times greater than mine. It is his profession. We will settle this thing by luck. We will face one another across a table ; of the two pistols, one only is to be loaded ; we toss for choice, and the winner of the toss to fire first ; the loser, if he draw the loaded pistol, to fire when and how he pleases." They both protested vigorously, " I will fight on those and no other conditions. He has called me a coward, and heaped every foul insult on me he could think of. I believe he did it, relying upon his greater skill. If he is now afraid to face the chance of certain death, let him do it. I am not. I will fight on no other conditions. If he iefuses, I will brand him as a coward publicly." They were still endeavouring to dissuade me when Uvenza's two second? arrived, and I left all four to. THfi FIGHT 153 gether. For an hour they wrangled, and then the two went away to consult their principal, and another hour passed before they returned and announced that their principal had consented, but under the strongest pro- test. *^ Then came the question where the duel should be fought, and, when Mayhew asked me, I said at once that the fittest place would be Colonel Livenza's own house, 150, Calle de ViUanueva ; and in making this choice I had in my thoughts the incidents which had occurred there on the night of my arrival in Madrid To this Captain Pescada objected on the ground that it was most irregular for a duel to take place at the house of one of the principals, and that it might be to my dis- advantage. But this did not turn me a hair's breadth from my resolve. " I am glad you put ic on that ground, for then my opponent can raise no objection. If I am to fall I care not a jot where it happens. If my opponent, he can ask no more than to die near his own bed " I an swered, grimly. "We are wasting time ; let u's drive there at once ; " and in a few minutes we were in the carriage. On the way scarce a word was said by anyone I sat wrapped in my thoughts, brooding over my purpose and nursmg with jealous care the plans I had formed I was semi-conscious of the strange sensation that l" was acting in obedience to some subtle outside force which was impelling me to pursue my present line of conduct. I was saturated with the conviction that I should come unharmed through the fight ; and that great consequences to 'me were to follow from that night's proceedings. 154 SARITA, THE CARLIST The result was an indescribable and indeed half- weird sense of comparative detachmc nt from my sur- roundings. I was moving forward toward an end of tragic importance ; and the scene at the Cafe de I'Eu- rope, the insult, the blow, the strange preliminaries of the duel, the very fight itself, were but so many neces- sary steps in the due achievement of the far greater end. Once, something of this found expression. I was conscious that my good friend Mayhew was com- pletely baffled by a mood totally unlike any he had ever seen me in before, and I remember thinking that when the s'rain was over I would reassure him. I caught him looking wonderingly at me, and at length he asked, solicitously and almost wistfully — " Have you any private arrangements you wish me to make?" "There will be none to make, Silas. There will be no need. Nothing will happen to me to make them necessary." He received the answer gravely, with a nod of the head and a whispered, " I thought I'd ask ; " and looked at me strangely and compassionately, as a man might look at a friend suddenly bereft of his senses. The look made me conscious for a second that my words of conviction must have sounded oddly ; but the next instant the feeling passed and I was again considering how to use the victory which I felt I was going to win. In my manner I was perfectly cool and self-possessed, and when we reached the house I led the way up the staircase to the rooms I had been in before ; and find- ing the first room I looked in empty, I said I would wait there while the preparations were completed. The task occupied nearly an hour, I was told after- THE FIGHT 155 wards, but to tne it passed like half a dozen minutes. I was reviewing all I knew of my opponent's character and temper, searching for the key which at present I could not find, and still animated by the irresistible conviction that I was on the eve of a discovery of vital .mport. I had not solved the problem when Captain Pescada came to fetch me. "Everything has been done as you wished, Sencr Carbonnell, he said, calmly, yet not without some nervousness; for the unusual and apparently deadly character of the arrangements had affected him '• The room beyond has been selected ; two pistols, one loaded with a blank cartridge, lie on the table covered by a cloth. You and Colonel Livenza will take your places at either side of the table, with the pistols between you A toss will decide the choice and will carry the right to fire first. In the choice, the pistols must not be touched, but indicated merely by a pointed finger " "Good ; I am warmly obliged to you," I said • and without even a conscious tremor or the faintest mis- giving, I went with him. I wish to disclaim entirely any credit for courage on this occasion. For the moment I was a fatalist nothing more. I went into the room possessed by the irresistible conviction that I should leave it quite safe and unhurt ; and had no more concern for the issue than if I had been going to keep a mere social or business engagement. My thoughts were not of my safety, but how I was to achieve that other object the very nature of which I did not then know. I had no need of courage. I was in no sort of danger ; and by some subtle instinct I knew this. But it was very different with my opponent. A , it '■■ " 'iS 156 SARITA, THE CARLIST glance at his face told me that he wan vaHtly disturbcil. The rage and hate of me still flashed from his eyes and turned his cheeks livid ; but there was another emotion besides these ; and what it was, and all that it meant to me, I was very soon to sec. I was surprised to notice, too, that the sight of him no longer filled me with any anger or bitterness. He had become merely a subject for close and minute observation. I was scarcely conscious of the presence of anyone else in the room. We took our places at the table opposite one another in silence. The fateful pistols, covered by a thick green cloth, lay between us ; and two little bulges in the cloth, one to the right of me and one to the left, denoted where they lay. I saw him look swiftly from one to the other of them, and then catch his breath slightly. That gesture was the first indication. Then his chief second broke the tense silence. "We have decided that Senor Mayhew shall spin the coin and Colonel Livenza shall call. It is an old Ferdinand dollar with the King's head ; and you will please call " Head " or '♦ Value." If you are correct in your guess, you will point to which pistol you choose, and will then fire. If you select the blank cartridge, Senor Carbonnell will have the other pistol and will exercise the right to fire when he pleases. If you lose the toss, Senor Carbonnell will select the pistol and fire, and you will exercise the right to fire when you please. Are you both agreeable, gentlemen ? " We murmured our assent simultaneously ; and I suw Livenza catch his breath again, wince slightly, and clutch his left hand nervously — his second indication. It was now Mayhew's turn, and my friend was so THE FIGHT ■u». it up. B„ he . ' rf, r " "°""" •=""''' "<>' a».n.p./a„d Ihi,; <: , ' „ L"* : ""l" "" «-"" have called R.,»f»,J . *"^ L'vcnza should and ..::":! ,« , liN':!;'?: : ■"• r '■"' """ ">"»• without hi. call """' "" "■« ""'^'' 'I""' trouble you again/' he added to Mayhew ' prl'c'e "'"" '' '^""' ^'^•» *-« -'»»» no faulty " Head," called Livenza, while it was .till i,i»», • a.r, and when it came down he could nTre a'n^ the" jnjpulse to stoop forward eagerly to see thecoras i If he iL^ ; ''°u*^' ''* '''' •" * d'ff«'-«nt angle of the hgK. and on h.s brow I saw some beads of fiJJ.; '' '''*^'' ^'^ Mayhew. « Colonel Livenza fires foltow^edTnslntf t'*'°" ''^'^**^ "^ °PP°"<^"^'« face. ! lf!i " ^^"''y' *'°«^«^e'". by an expression of such ateful, almost agonising indecision as I have never en on a man's face, and hope never to see aTin It was beyond his control to hide it. He glancedTom t wV'Vv" °' ''' ^P°^^ ^'^-^ ''^ Pistls show d nd hi hi u" 7'' ' ^'' ^'•^^ ^^^^ '"to deep furrows muse e and "^' u"' ^'^"^''^^ ^'^ ''^"^'as every tTrlh his h', TT- '^'''"' ^^^"'"S* d^^P breath through h,s dilated nostrils, he flung out his hand and If ,»■ 'i 2E ' I, *"(? 158 SARITA, THE CARLIST pointed toward the pistol on my right and his left; while the deep breath he had drawn escaped in a rush through the trembling lips with a sound that could be heard all over the room. Captain Pescada threw back the covering cloth, handed Livenza the pistol he had chosen, and pushed the other to me. I left it lying on the table, and the next instant was looking into Livenza's eyes along the barrel of his pistol, held none too steadily within a few feet of my head. I was conscious for a moment of the four white anx- ious faces of the men who were watching us with star- ing eyes and bated breath, and was kept at the tension long enough to feel a wish that Livenza would fire, when the report rang out and I felt the hot blast of the powder in my face, and was dazzled by the flash as I realised that I was unhurt. I heard an oath and a groan of despair from my opponent, and the first object I could see clearly was Livenza, now salt-white, trem- bling like a man with an ague, and swaying as he clung to the table for support. So strong had been my conviction of safety that I had passed through the trying ordeal without even a change of colour, so Mayhew told me afterwards ; and was certainly in complete command of my nerves as I entered upon the second stage of the grim drama. I saw my way as clearly as though written instruc- tions were actually in my hands. He was a coward. Brave enough for the ordinary routine matters of life and of his professiqn as a soldier, he yet lacked the courage to face the certain death that was waiting for him in the barrel of the pistol lying to my hand ; and throughout the whole scene he had been oppressed and ^i-l THE MKPOHT KAX(t ofT AXU I HKAI.lZKl) THAT I WAH rxHiTKT.' — Page /jS. ,1'W m THE FIGHT 159 overborne by the fear of what such a minute as this must mean for him. It was through his cowardice, his readiness to sacrifice honour for life, that I was to wm my way to the knowledge I needed and achieve my purpose. I began the task with studied cruelty I bent on h.m such a look of stern hate and menace as I could assume, and dallied deliberately with his terror before I even laid finger on the pistol stock. Then I smiled as m grim triumph, and picking up the pistol looked carefully at it, and from it across the space between us to him. His fight for strength was literally repulsive to wit- ness. Terror possessed him so completely that both nerves and muscles refused to obey the direction of the bram, and the pause I made proved the breakinir pomt in his endurance. " I can't stand ; give me a chair," he gasped, pite- ously. o r , f " Stand back, gentlemen, if you please," I thundered when his seconds were going to him ; and the sound of my voice increased his already crushing fear, so that he swayed and fell forward on the table, like a man collapsed in drink, his arms extended and his hands clenched in a veritable agony of despair and terror. I allowed a full thirty seconds to pass in a silence that must have been awesome for him, and then let drop the first hint of hope. "It is my right to fire when I please. I have not said I shall exercise it to-night." At that 1 saw the strength begin to move in him again. His fingers relaxed, he drew his arms back and 160 SARITA, THE CARLIST then gradually his body, and at length raised himself slowly and looked at me— question, doubt, fright, ap- peal, hope, all struggling for expression — a look that, had I been as full of rage and yearning for revenge as he had been and as he believed me to be, would have sufficed to stay my finger on the trigger or have driven me to fire in the air. I have never seen such haggard misery. There was another pause, in which I looked at him, my face set apparently upon the execution of an im- placable resolve to kill him. When it had had its effect and I saw the grey shades of renewed despair falling upon him, I said — "Gentlemen, I will ask you to withdraw a while. It may be that a way can be found out of this business which may lead to my waiving or indefinitely postponing my right. If Colonel Livenza is willing, I will speak with him privately." A hurried whispered conference between him and his seconds followed, and then we two were left alone. I I ■ r. CHAPTER XIV A coward's story AFTER a very short pause Livenza's very shame . at his own panic began to give him a sort of firmness of bravado. The worst about him had been made clear ; he had shown that he was afraid and was w.lhng to purchase his life; and it was a mauer in which he must make the best terms he could The pressure of imminent death once removed, he' could breathe aga.n In the future he was to be my creature and he recognised it. That was how I read the suHen scowhng look he gave me as hedrew himself up low,; and crossed his arms. ^ »'owiy " You can sit down if you wish," I said, curtly, in the one of a master to make him feel my authority and to recall to him his former craven appeal. J' " ^o " I have no wish : I can stand." " You know your life is forfeit," and I glanced at the p.sto, jn my hand, "and that I have the^right to se„d the bullet crashing into your brain, if I please ? " He winced and the light of fear glanced again in his ZTJ TT '^'^ ^'°' ''"^ '" ^°'^ b.ood,'of cour and he thrust was a cruel one. But I knew that he could have shot me under the circumstances, and that he would read my disposition by his own. ke wis a brute, and must be treated as a brute. 162 SARITA, THE CARLIST " If you mean to shoot me, do it," he cried. ♦' I am willing to let you purchase your life, but the terms will be heavy." " I am in your power and must pay them," he an- swered, sullenly, but with unmistakable relief. " First, then, understand this : What has passed here to-night shall never be breathed by either my friends or myself. So far as we are concerned your reputation outside shall stand just where it did when you entered the room. On that I give you my word of honour— if you deal straightly with me. A sign of treachery or a single lie from you, and the truth shall be told." " I agree to that, of course." " Moreover, my right to lire this shot is merely post- poned, not waived. You will put down in writing what will justify me should your treachery ever make it necessary for me to shoot you." « I will do that." He was beginning to speak fluently and readily now. "You will now answer my questions. Are you in Sebastian Quesada's pay or in his power ? " " In his power. He concocted a false charge against me some time ago, confronted me with the proofs, and threatened to have me prosecuted. I dare not face the charge, and from that moment he has used me for vari- ous tasks." , "Amongst them this business of the young Kings abduction? " . ^ ,j u * He started violently as I made this rather bold shot. " What do you know ? " "Everything-except the details." The reply was perhaps a little exaggeration ; but I was guessing every thing very fast. A COWARD'S STORY 163 me. I might as well be dead." "He will never know, unless you are fool enough to Iflernoon r ' ''"' ^°" '° ^'"°'"''" ^"^'"'^^'^ ^°"^^ '^''' " Yes. He said you would be there." He was suffi. cently recovered now for his private feelings to reas- sert themselves somewhat, and there was a gleam of the old hate of me in his eyes as he gave the answer which let m such a flood of additionaf light upon my senoriu^'' '""'"' *° '^'P ^°" ^"'^ -^'^ '^^ H.17°r'' •'';.' '*''^''- ^°" ^° "^"^^ everything, in- deed," he cried. "Who are you?" steri^r tTI ^'^ ^"'''"'' "°' question." I returned, hat Quesada had planned this quarrel of ours, sending Livenza to catch me with Sarita, with the certain as surance that his jealousy would lead to a duel in which one of us would be certain either to fall or to be laid bv during the completion of his plans. He stood to gain almost equally by the death of either. « You took with fheVr? f "^^ 1"^^;"^^'°"^ -bout this plot ; what were they ? I asked, after a moment's pause For the first time he hesitated, and I saw the beads of sweat s anding thick on his forehead, as he looked a me, trembling like a blade of grass. "You are asking me for more than my life," he mur- mured, h.s very teeth chattering in his irresolution. afew^hr^'^^— "^^''""^^-^'•^^^'•"^^^^ wi i 164 SARITA, THE CARLIST " You will never breathe a word of this ? " he im- plored. " Answer me," I cried again, with implacable stern- ness. " He gave me the privately agreed upon route of His Majesty's drive for to-morrow afternoon." He spoke in a voice low and hoarse, and the sentence was broken by three or four pauses, as if the effort to utter it was almost beyond his strength. " Give it me," I said, instantly. " I — I dare not," he answered, his voice no louder than a whisper. " Give it me," I repeated. " I — I can tell it you," he said, after a long pause. " Give it me," I cried, sternly. " I shall not ask again." He plunged a trembling hand into an inner pocket, and without withdrawing it gave me a glance of pite- ous entreaty. " Anything but this ! " he pleaded. " God have mercy on me ; anything but this, senor, I beg you. I was to have destroyed it." " As you will. Then our conference fails. I will call in our seconds and " But he did not let me finish, for with a groan of de- spair he brought the paper out and laid it on the table. I picked it up, and a glance showed me what a prize it was. The writing was Quesada's, and it gave the route of the drive and actually suggested the place where the abduction could be made — a spot on the road to Buenavista, close to where the bridge crossed the Manzanares on the way to Aravaca, and specified the time, five o'clock ; adding the significant note — A COWARD'S STORY ,65 'i^l:-' """ '" ''"''''• "•> — = coachman and in;!!''..." "'■'"'■'™"' ^'■■'«" ■-'"'■ of the f„„„.. haul, and there wa« H..P. .1 i • """'' ' 'Plendid able'to ,el, ":. VT.TonT'', ''"/''''' '" ■>' answer; bu. i. .as ce^^inr. eTo' ,T„' ^ ^« "> more than I Whaf «,n. c u . "°' ''"°w any I had though, ortHrohnhf'"'"? °.''^"' '■" »" "■'■»? withSarha-f, afhe was ptv^^r .'■"•" """'" ' "« mean. .oge. rid of r/JZg"^^" ":' °7 """'l "« Cariists by one and the sime s,roke!anH , ""'*' "" agains. a man shrewd enough o IVete .^cS'l IT" and daring enouch to nut i. ,„ .1. ' P"'"^/ like madness. B,,t I had l,l! ^"""" ""• '""•«" « : and the document I „::'!?/"''"'"'' '" ""'"'"' be a powerful weapon if only could 7.T" """"' use it shrewdly. ''° "'° ""ns to As I stood a minute or two revolving the' ""' ^-S" circu„su„cos' % d ige t'V.ht?',T^'''"^ "> be alone ; bu. the persona rLWoft a ",' ' """'' any attempt to ge.'^^.hers tofoLLl "' '"' ""' wonid'h^^rciTtrrjir^h'"^'^^""" "■' ■-'- the King's drive, and s" ct .he"l;"f '" 7°"'= '" noon. But that was hv Z ' ""^ ">" ""=■■- wis ben. on maL^g a boldstrelr"".' "'= ""'"'• ' for this I was as an^xious L llcfrl rZdf'; = """ momentary success of the scheme r ° '^ "" cH«.^.. checkmate, "irdes;e"::rri-: "eT:;r?ire\rt'"; =^':; "■= "--itt^z.:; -er^heJ^mrLl'et; ^ i^ !:',!T|so ?^""'" Where in my turn I coufd make 1;! ': ''"'"'^ "' hi} if . ' M ii.^ I! 170 SARITA, THE CARLIST was to secure the fleetest and strongest horse that could be hired ; and I had scarcely reached my rooms after arranging this when a very singular incident occurred. A letter was brought me from Sebastian Quesada, and my servant told me the messenger was waiting for a reply. I opened and read it with great astonish- ment. " Time changed. Six o'clock— not five ; return route. Same spot. Communicate instantly." I had ha* no message from him, or invitation for a drive or ride •^^hat day. The letter was just in the brief style of twen 7 others he had sent me, and it seemed that some former invitation must have miscarried. I was on the point of penning a line to him to this effect when a light suddenly broke upon me. The letter was not for me at all. It had been put by mistake in the wrong envelope. I saw the address was in Quesada's own hand, and in his hurry he had apparently committed the blunder of mixing the two notes. This referred without a doubt to the great event of the day, and my pulses tingled at the thought. I sent for the messenger. "Did Senor Quesada give you this with his own hand ? " I asked the man, whom I knew as a confiden- tial servant of the Minister's. •* Yes, senor. I took it first to the British Embassy, but they told me you had not been there to-day, and as my instructions were to await your answer, I came here." " Quite right," I answered, casually. " I'm sorry I shall not be able to do what your master wishes. I have hurt my hand and cannot write," and I lifted my A COWARD-S STORY ,7. __ As soon as his back wfs S I ;"''•*''''P''"'=^• W™ quietly afterwards" " sat Lf '" "'"' *"" ■"■possible for me to interfere in thf'-'" """"^ i' lay, supposing by any chanrr. ^ '"'^""'^ of that That bei„/bir;:f;o :roi it^r^ •" ■•• got my reply? The stor, of !^ <■"" when he »«m .0 him ,0 be hTreL^Tr" ""'"' ""»'"' Live,.a; "ut i. was almost ce^mi^^V™"','' """ himself to see me If h- d 7 ' •" ''°'"'<' «me He might suspec•t.a„?;el^':;Vrthe"'^'"'-"'' hour postpone the coup. ""' ^''■'^■■th A question to Livenza showed ™- i. ^ communicate the change of to. tTthr" 1"°""' concerned, and the moment I ha,l """"" " rushed back to my rooms swathed "?"*'" ""« ' ages, improvised a sling uid^ ™ " '"""'' '" ''="<'- •o -it. It was then "h'ree o-lcTr^^i m ' .t' """" ■n two hours-by five, that wa^f I was Tot. "'^ h.s letter ly,ng open on my table' wir, ,"""" "'"■ w..Hinfl„ite pains to write V;e^;t;',:i;--V:n^. i I » , ttM»i \r- SARITA, THE CARLIST I received him with a welcotpuig laugh as I flourished my right arm in its sling, and held out my left. '• My dear Ferdinand, Carlos brought me word that you had injured your hand and could not ride with me this afternoon. I was all anxiety, and have cancelled my arrangements that I may give up the time to cheer you. Tell me, are you much hurt ? .iow did it all happen, in the name of misfortune ? " I cursed his solicitude, and saw his object. He had come to see that I did no mischief. But I replied lightly— " That is the act of a good, true friend. Sit down, light a cigar, and let us chat. I was at that moment writing to you — have you ever tried to write with the left hand ? It is the devil's trouble. See here," and I held out the letter, taking care that he should see his own at the same time, and laughed over the stumbling effort. " I have been trying ever since Carlos wen" to write and thank you, and say how sorry I am I can't dine with you either, because I am engaged for the afternoon with my sister and her friend Mrs. Curwen. We came from England together, you know. But I arn not due until four o'clock, so we can smoke, drink, and chatter till then." " But you're hurt — what is wrong ? " " My dear Quesada, though you are what we at home call Home Minister, and therefore head of everything that pertains to law and order in the capital, as else- where — and a most capable head, too — this Madrid of yours is the devil's own place for a brawl. And I am bound to say that when the Spanish blood's up the knife's out, and I can speak from experience that the man who gets his fingers in the way of a Spanish knif^ A COWARD'S STORY 177, is a good many kinds of a fool for his trouble But don't ask any questions ; I shall be right again in ad v or so. and meanwhile I mean to takf care o " ^fl hta^ Ir'n' S°"'^'^' '^' '^"^^^^ again. and'gvJe hun a look wh.ch m.ght have been intended to suggest any kind of intrigue. =»"Sgcs.i He accepted the explanation. I thought, and in a few mmutes we were chatting much as usua\ As Z Z passed I grew very anxious for him to go. but he sat on or an hour, showing no indication of lea;ing. and then I gave h.m a hint, which he didn't take "Now do me a favour." I said then*. "Come with me th.s afternoon-I must go, for I am due now-and allow me to present you to my sister?" I said it as earnestly as though I knew Mercy and Mrs. Curwen were really at the hotel waiting for me, and to my d.s may he hesitated. ' ^ "You tempt me strongly. Your sister must be Dolores' and my friend." "Good; then you will come ? It is excellent, too, for Mrs. Curwen .s the American capitalist who is going to take up that silver mine business on the Castelars' prop^ ''If K f ,T ^^'""'^ •" ^°"^°"' y°" J^now. and she w,ll be dehghted to see you and ask you all kinds of questions about it. She is the most " But his face changed then. "I do not like Americans just now." he broke in, mv nffi ^^^V'"'""^'''^ ^om^i^l^^ I omitted to do a to'the hotel."" ""' "'"" ™'^- ^"^ ' ^'" ^"- you " You are a thoughtful friend always," I replied knowing he did this because his suspicion of me were not yet allayed. Then came another point. llZ liliii :l 174 SARITA, THE CARLIST dressed for riding — Norfolk jacket and riding gaiters— and could not change them. His quick eyes saw this instantly, and he said with a glance and a laugh — " Your visit is an informal one, Ferdinand ? " " One's sister learns the art of making excuses, and a man with only one hand can surely plead privilege." And in that dress I started, leaving him only a moment while I secured my revolver and some ammunition. He drove me right to the hotel, and did not leave me until he had actually heard me ask for Miss Carbon- nell's and Mrs Curwen's rooms, and looked after me as the waiter led me away. A glance at my watch showed me it was then nearly half-past four, but I felt compelled to carry on the farce so far as to go to Mrs. Curwen's room, perilously short though the time was growing. W-l CHAPTER XV THE ABDUCTION IT is an experience which I expect most of us have known, to have to clap on suddenly the mummer's mask at a moment of serious crisis, and to play the fool just when one's whole mind and thoughts are claimed by really tragic issues. That wai. my case when I went to Mrs. Curwen's on parting from Quesada. The widow was alo.-.e, and was annoyed that I had not been to see her on the previous day, and met me consequently in a mood of satirical banter. Looking at me as though she did not recognise me, she said— "Carbonnell,Carbonnell, I seem to have heard the name ; but surely it is so long since I saw a man of the name. Are you Mr. Carbonnell ? " " I believe I am," I returned, gravely. " And I was actually going to shake hands with you, I think." " I don't think you can be ; because I am sure the Mr. Carbonnell I knew would never have remained away long enough for me to forget his face." " Ah, you are thinking of Lascelles Carbonnell I am Ferdinand, his brother, you know." " I am very angry with you, and that's the truth " she cried, laughing, and colouring at the little thrust " Lord Glisfoyle would never have behaved in such a ! 4 »i ! 176 SARITA. THE CARLIST Avay. If this is how Madrid affects people, 1 wish I'd never come. But what's the matter with your hand ? " "I have come to have a very difficult surgical operation performed by you or Mercy. Where is she ? " She came in as I spoke ; and seeing my arm in a sling her face clouded, as she kissed me and asked the reason. " Are you really hurt ? " asked Mrs. Curwen, doubt- ingly, sympathy struggling with annoyance. "You don't look ill." " Does a man wear this sort of ornament for fun ?" and I drew the bandaged hand from the sling. " There's no accounting for what a man will do— in Madrid," she retorted, with a sniff of battle and a toss of the head. "Angela!" cried Mercy. "What ts the matter. Nand ? " " He wants us to perform what he calls a ' surgical ^P'^ration,' Mercy." "The matter is not very serious, I believe," I answered, in deference to the pain on my sister's face, but seeing now how to punish Mrs. Curwen, I added i "They tell me, indeed, that if the bandages are removed very carefully and a particular kind of massage employed, I shall recover the use of the fingers quickly." " I have had a lot of nursing experience, I can do it," said the widow ; and she began to handle the bandages very gently. "But what kind of massage do you mean ? " "That will depend upon the condition in which we find them. I believe they will have to be rubbed by being passed through cloth." This somewhat recondite THE ABDUCTION ^^^ description of putting them through my co,v sleeve puzzled her completely. ® "I never heard of anything like t at" w .- - i wrinkling her forehead in pf rolexitv n ' seriniiB « u .. . perpiexity ; now quite «nous. 'But whotver put these on? I never Vw anythmg so clumsy in „y life I „„„ ,„, ";;"„»': gela. Shall I do it, dear?" ' ^^ ^^"^^f""-. ^n- " Do you think I can't take a bandage off > " was the reply,^w.th some sharpness, as she cam'e back wTh tt next touch. "Please be careful. I can't bear pain a " Men never can." she rptnrf^ri i< t» .oucKed you. But'i, i'lfsTs'I'^t .Ll'T^^'^^. h. added earnestly; and the little fkrce proc eded she unwmdmg the clumsy bandage I had pui on and I wmcngand "ah-ing" and grimacing, unnl tl,e hand frmThrr":"' '"" "" «"«— woodless, „cs' froip the ligature-were exposed to view ini'trritir"" """ """■ '■• ^-' "■"• "»■- .hrcMrnral^e'^Ge^-;;,?'''''^'"'-- "^■"'"-'" " What is cloth massage ?" it "" ^''h "^^T^^ '"'''' ^'°'^' °^ ^"""e- Wait, I have 't , and without more ado about nothing, I thiust mv arm through the sleeve of my coat, and^eld ou my ti' if ^li tl 178 8ARITA, THE CARLIST hand to shake htn. " The most wonderful cure on record. Thank you so much." Mercy burst out laughing, but Mrs. Curwen coloured with vexation. " What does it mean ? You've been fooling," she cried. " I call it horrid of you ; " and as she turned away I saw tears of vexation start to her eyes. Then I repented. " Forgive me. Honestly, I am sorry and did not mean to vex you. There is a meaning to all this, and some day I'll tell you both, and the tale will surprise you, probably." " I'll forgive you if you're going to stay and take us out, and then come back to dinner. Your friend Mr. Mayhew is coming. We're going to the Opera. The young King is to be there, and the Queen. It's to be a real gala show." " I should like to see the young King," I replied, truthfully enough, indeed. « But I can't manage to dine with you. Give me the number of your box, and if I can get my work done I'll try and join you there. I must be off now, in fact." "You seem to be very hard-worked at the Em- bassy," she replied. " This is not purely Embassy work ; it's rather ex- tra-official than otherwise.'* " A. B. C, used to say that when a man had out-of- office work there wa» generally a woman in the case." " Ah, he was an American ; and American customs are very unpopular in Madrid just now ; " and as my time was up, I hurried away. A short drive carried me to the stables where my horse was in waiting ready saddled, and not a vestige of the little farce re- THE ABDUCTION ,79 mained in my thought, as I mounted and rode slowly off on what m.ght be so momentous an errand fo me by s reeu un T' "k" ^T'' ^° ''''' '"^ ^^^^ ^'^-"Th to thH "^''*'* '''' °"'»^*^*" «"d came out on to the Aravaca road, and then I rattled on for a mUe to put my horse's powers to the test Hi. wn. 1 T didanima. and in'the pinic of^rdition very fat\"; sure-footed as a mule, and wonderfully obedent alike to vo.ce knee, and rein. He would have made a ma/ n.ficent hunter, and when I put him across a bTto country he took as much pleasure in it as I myself A jewel of a horse for the task I was upon I reached the spot I had chosen for my hiding place I c mb 7 T '"v 'u^"'' ''''^'^''^ ^y ^-- "ecu'^ely I chmbed a tree wh.ch was to be my observation pos^ and commenced my vigil. I had about half an Sour to wa.t, for my nde had taken less time than I had al Iowed;buttherewasnotmuch fear of the time dragging I had with me a pair of folding field-glasses of grefi power and range, and with these I swept the cou„ r ' round for indications of the approach of the roS iTookfd °' °''"' ?^''^* preparations. For a long timj I looked m va.n ; but presently a carriage, drawn bv a pa.r of stalwart horses, appeared about hfl a miTe awav rap.dly, and I ost it soon afterwards behind a small ol ve wood. wh.ch stood close to the crest of the hil As It did not appear again, the deduction was easy that •t was the Carlist carriage, and had been drawn 'up in concealment to wait for the coming of the young xfug hie ri^'T ' ^'''' ""''' *° "^"^^ ^he number o; those ,n .t-but th.s was. of course, impossible. Five minutes later four horsemen straggled up one ^ ft I ' 'I i"" i8o SARITA, THE CARLIST ( . (■;1 rf ^ It ' .1 by one, with considerable intervals between them, and as they did not show on my side of the little wood, I set them down as a further instalment of the perform- ers in the coming drama. As there must be now at least six or eight men, the number of them gave me a twinge of uneasiness. If anything like that number of men were going with the young King after he had been put in the Carlist vehicle, I had made a very grave miscalculation in my plans, which might have the most serious consequences. Nor was this all. As the appointed hour approached a single horseman came riding at a sharp trot from the other direction ; and he, too, apparently joined the group waiting by the wood. He seemed to have brought news, for soon after his arrival a man came on foot from the coppice to the crest of the hill, stood a moment shading his eyes and staring across the deep dip which the road made at the spot. After staring thus for perhaps two minutes, he made a sign to his companions and retraced his steps. One thing was at any rate certain from this — the young King was expected ; and this meant much. A pause of some ten minutes followed ; during which the scrutiny of fhe road was renewed twice, and the second time the lookout appeared to see what he sought. I turned my glasses upon the road, and saw a horseman spurring with all possible speed in our direc- tion. He dashed down the one hill at breakneck speed, and spurred and flogged his horse up the next to where the others were awaiting him. Almost directly afterwards I saw them commence their preparations ; and I jumped to the conclusion that his news was that the royal carriage was close at hand. i THE ABDUCTION 18, Six men came out on foot. Four went down the hill concealed themselves in some bushes that grew by the ways.de and two went farther down, alm^ost to he bottom of the dip, and hid there. Pres;ntly two others from heh '^l^^'-'-'^S^ I ^-^ formerly seen came out from behmd the wood and stood drawn up just far ToX uT '"' '"' '^°^ " '' °"' °^ sightVanyi:: Tht'rn!';'"" ' ^'"'^ '^'"''"^ disposition of forces. Therojal carnage was to pass the first two at the bottom of the decline and to be stopped bHhe four C h^t ''' "f "^- '' '' ^ "^'^^^P *^ .ot'^art he four, the two at the top would stop it : if it was turned cast;, of r^' the bottom would act; while in any see''whet'hrfh'"''^'''''x^"""'°"''^^^^^^ ^°^^l to see whether the young King was coming toward the trap so cunnn.g,y laid for him, I felt my heart begin! n.ng to beat with the strain of the excitement, and in- voluntan y I caught my breath and started wh;n I saw a shght cloud of dust in the distance which told of thi Kmg's approach. "^ the^mofr'"^ "°'' ^f^^'°P^^ q"'*<=kly enough to satisfy the most voracous lover of incident. The dust cloud grew larger and larger, till at length I could make out he carnage quite distinctly, and saw that Quesada's information had been absolutely correct. There were no outriders, no escort of any kind, and the only ser! hot? °\r'"""''^' '""'■" ^ coachman and footman bo on the box. What insanity. I thought, to abandon even ordinary precautions at such a time ! And what IS'-S- U 4 : '8^ SARITA. THE CARLIST trust in .he people " ''' ""•"""=' <" *»"'"« .^. hn. „„ 4^s^ '.arT.h7c?z'sr "■''■■ move slowly forward and to h ^ ^^'^''sts began to a walking pace Then th^ ^^ "^^ °" ""^ ''^' ^' though there weJ "''^'' ''"^^ *° *»>« ^^de, as Pass.'and wILT^ Tw^n"^^^^^^^ I'^T ° ^^"^^^^^ *° The th,-n« \j ^ '" readiness. nessoV.„;"cr:„'<,t°ecr-''' '-"^'"'-"'""s, sure- at the bono™, ,t 6ntrZiZ^.TZl "' "" a walk, .hey both came out aud fonoted A -"" '" abreast of the four half wav un ,h- ,!n . ' " "■"• ou.,.he carriage above d"ew i«'!h^ '.'.? '"""<' road, and the remaining couple "nntl H ""° "' '"= the eight swarmed almost sIuZ,*^ I""" '"""y- quarry. simultaneously upon the King .hrus. hifhead L„, of .he" 'J"* '' "" ^"""^ was wrong, bo.h doors™ re «ungCr.he k' """ seized by one nair an^ ♦., ^ ^ ' *"® ^'"g was man and'i'^p^ble of anvL"""'"' -'«"^' "" "'^ 'ared by .he orter pai^T "h "'''"""' "" "'■ 'he thing was over aZost 12,7^:5 h'^' '"'"^^■ young King proved his pluck rn^-i.'''*^""- ^''= but that was, of course „„H, ? "^ "^^ ■" <=<"•'<' ! the men who se Led m'' °°h '^ "«^'"" "•« ^'^ength o "P the hill. ^"" *"'^ <=""«< him .0 .he cartage Then came a delay which puzzled me. The two men THE ABDUCTION ^g^ got into the Carlist carriage with .k remained in it some thr^e^or Tur ' '^^^ '''"^' ^"^ they were doing I could not U k "'"'' ^"^ ^^^^ time one got out aga7n shu he 'h ' V"' '"'^ °^ ^"^^ nian's livery coat, mou'n ed th^ k °k '^''^ °" ^ ^°°^- and the carriage sUrLd l^dja^eTv f ' ^'t '"^^^' meanwhile gone for th^.v u ^* ^^° ^'^^rs had from behind^he^X; or;;d"the"°^ ^^^' °"' mterval of about a furlong ""^^ ' ' ^' «" A last look before I Qlin«»^ r .l.a..he others we" nor^^fk ^TaH V"° ^'''•«'' "^ royal carriage awav Th. ? *"' "> «" "" "cmnted, and sUrted in pursuit "" '° '"'' '"'"'' wi."?rr.:?er:n':i'tTr''^«' "'<■ ™" -"»"> "ernation a, the Cte .h „ TV ""' '"" ">' ^<>"- 'h- five men were .oM ^ Zardlhf "" "" '^^^ »nd I knew they were desLl,. ''°°"« "P"™. I»rincd their lives to captur^tTe'r' l"" """ -■■"■ them freely to keen him H T^' ^"^ """'^ "'f' single-hand'ed to Sec T'relT? 'm" '"""' ' '^^ essential to my plans that iTu'd su^ce^dT' " "" pose without beinr reco.rnic.jl. *°""<' '" ""y Pur- ".« seeded to he ;U':C?m7os^!,,^""- ' -- ..oltrvi^arp'le'':, '^'""' -' - ''^^i^Precau. carriage.- Bu? for ThU ' T":"" ■"="'<> '""ow the finitely easier It J,L' ^"^ """'^ I'"' bo" «■ vastMiffici : co" d Lr^H '"' """ °' P--i' this would have roused s°ni '"' °''" ""="■ "^ '«ort to a hundred sht°'" = ^"^ ' ''=" ""■' to across country, 'n''o;'""::,™'',f "^'"^ ••-<- ^'^'s"' c-i"..heroadforjrgLg„^rtTaU~:: it. |j; 1 ■ j: ■'h ! ( . 1 : I 1S4 SARITA, THE CARLIST line where the road curved ; and all the time harassed and worried by the constant effort to remain unseen by t|,ese men and yet to prevent them from getting out o^ Splendidly as I was mounted, the work began to tell on my horse almost as much as upon my temper and I grew not only anxious but positively desperate ' FuU of difficulty as this scouting work was. it was leading nowhere T,me slipped on as mile after mile wa! raversed, but I got no nearer my object. So little dd I hke the prospect mdeed that at length I was forced to con^^mplate an entire change of pfan and the aTan- donm .u the now forlorn hope of accomplishing the rescue smgle-handed. ^ It was still open to me to stop the business bv doggmg the abductors in a more open manner un 1 we came to a place where I could get the carriage stoppid by the authorities ; and when we were about a coup'e of mUesfrom the large village of Podrida I resolved most reluctantly to take that course. It invoht a bUter disappointment ; it would have Heaven alone knew what effect upon my after plans ; it might mean •ndeed the frustration of everything but f saw no other way. and accordingly I got back on to the Toad and began to close up the distance between me and the two horsemen as we approached Podrida I cursed what I called my ill-luck at the turn thinirs had taken and was riding in a very sullen mood and in temper when a little incident occurred which sudde y d.ng.d everything, and once more set my hopes beat' VVe were about a mile from Podrida, and I was some hundred yards behind the two men. when the horsTof THE ABDUCTION ,55 the rough stony load His co ""°'' ""''"'y "" ^° dismounted. The fallen hn^^'"'°" P""*^^ "^ «"d saw he was dead lame whilTh?':,"^''*^' ""' ^"'^ ^ stunned for the momen't "'^"" ^"^ ^PP^rently j-;:^:;strmrsee^r"^^^-- forward at the gallon and fh T . '"^" ^"^ ^^"^d Fortune tossed 'mJT;oTht1::;rT::^"^ ''T'''' had left his animal untethere d 1= k k ''''^""'^ ""^^ Panion, and, excited aptr^Jwl^^^^^^^ "'''" '''^ ^°- horse, it threw up its head f * ^'"°^'"^ °^ '"^^ passed, and came ru hint' anr':' '"' "^'^^^^^ -« I moment both the^uar U ^ ^^'"^ '"'• ^h^s in a I had been carefufto u „ T^^"-' ''" '^'' ' ^"' ^^ without the risk :; recogmt"?"' " P^^^'"^' ^ ^"^ ^y ^H^MX^f7:^^;^--^-^--ihadto But even in this Fortune contmuedk^d ^ '"P"^^' men with the carriage finH . *° '"^- ^he dropped too far behrd'tUtTnlt^h'^"^"^" '^^^ Parently to enter Podrida wTthout T u^ "''"'"«^ ^P" wait in just such a spo tas I r^r ,. ""' ^^"^ ^^^'^^ to As a precaution against ident^ 7"'' '^^^ ^^°^^"- with me a small flesh^riou ed s f^^^^ ' '^^ ^-"^^t old fancy-dress costume and '"''^ ' ''"' °^ '" slouched the brim of my hat Jell °" '''''' ''''' «"' dre«r my revolver from J.y pock ^Th"' '""' ^"^ concerned were too wei^hfv ! f ^ "'"^' t° a" ¥ 1^ It ,! ■ liiii 186 SARITA, THE CARLIST was now running so high that I meant to carry th thing through at all hazards. But even then another splendid stroke of luck came my way. The man with the driver on the box seemed to take alarm on seeing the riderless horse, and, mistaking me for one of his mounted comrades, leapt down from the box and came running toward me. Nothing could have served my purpose better. I rode straight at him, and as I reached him struck him with my heavy hunting-crop, putting all my strength into the blow. He fell hke a log, and I rode over him, dashed past the carriage, sent a bullet into the nearest horse's head, turned instantly, and with another shot broke the driver's right arm, and sent him toppling off the box on to the road. The man in the carriage with the King was now ready for me, however, and, leaning out, fired a revolver at me as I dismounted and rushed to the door The aim was short enough, but the luck was still mine. He missed me, and had no chance of a second shot, for my hunting-crop came down on his wrist, breaking it, and his pistol dropped harmles. ly on to the road. In half a minute I had him out and lying helpless and half-stunned on the road, and had jumped into the carriage to the King, only to start back in amazement and dismay at the discovery that it was not the King at all, but a girl lying prone, faint, and helpless on an invalid's stretcher, her eyes staring up into my face with the glazed, set stillness of unconsciousness or paralysed fright. What could it mean and what had I done ? What astounding blunder had I perpetrated > What miracle had happened ? Where was the youne King ? J e> CHAPTER XVI AFTER THE RESCUE ♦K«. J surprise 1 cannot tell a .tolidity of b.w,ldf ™Vnt a. ,h ^"'"^ "'"'" '" ^'■«" on the s.r«ch„. ' "" ""=" '""^ "' •'•« girl lost more than ilS I h^nl ". "■ '°"'«''- ' "^ charge of having payed .he htiw """J' ■"■" '" » less fashion; and while .h.rlr^''""*" '» ""» «ck- with .he yonW Ki„"g 'j\t„S":trd 'J^T' "1 for a common thief nustied oflF to a gaol Se^tia^Qurida'" Vtr.f""K*^ '"^^'" '«='-' humiliation, and n,y t,f c„„ "*'" '"'' <=''^«""> ""X acute ago„; „f ZnZ"Z:T,-l''''"" '" " was like a man distracted »„!) ^°''. '"'"Womtment. I the light burstinoTme '"'"' ""■=" »» «"<> ..aVor,'':f;;i;.trflr"/p^r;?rT'"r'-^ was in reality .He covering fo^^n^trst'S I ■■ ■ i ii h' LK if '-* i88 SARITA, THE CARLIST gag. In a moment I had torn it oil and was looking on the young King's face. ** Is your Majesty hurt ? " I asked, and as I spoke my fingers were busy tearing away the dress with which his captors had covered him, my hands positively trembling in excitement. " I cannot move. Who are you ? I am strapped down everywhere," he said weakly. " By God's grace, I am come to save your Majesty ; " and, without wasting time in wo'ds, I searched for the straps that bound him to the stretcher and severed them with my knife. The whole arrangement was cunningly contrived in truth ; but a sharp blade cut the bonds quickly enough, and I soon had him out of the carriage. " Have you strength to ride, sire ? " I said, finding he was staggering feebly on my arm. " I don't know," he said ; and then, being but a lad, the sudden revulsion of feeling proved too great a strain, anH the tears started to his eyes, and be stum- bled and leaned helplessly against me. ** Courage, sire ; all is well now ; " and I gave him a sip of brandy from my small pocket-flask. He rallied with a splendid effort, and pulled himself together. " I can try, senor," he said pluckily, and smiled. It was now more than time for us to be off. A glance back along the road showed me one of the mounted men was running toward us, the fellow I had ridden down was coming back to consciousness, while the others had recovered from their surprise and hurts, and were rallying to stop us. My horse and the other which had galloped up with us I had fastened to the pole of the carriage, and I decided to take up the boy King on my saddle for a AFTER THE RESCUE 189 mile or two until he had regained sufficient strength to nde. I mounted, therefore, helped him up in front of me and holdmg him and leading the second horse, started at the best pace we could make. After we had ridden m this cumbersome style for about a mile, my charge said he felt quite strong enougii to ride. We dis- mounted, and I set him upon the second horse, and we were just setting forward again when he said— « You are wearing a mask, senor ? » A touch of fear was in the tone. "I had forgotten it, sire. I did not wish to be recognised by the men from whom I took you. They might make powerful and secret enemies ! " and I took it oflF and pocketed it. "It is they who will fear you, not you fear them And you did this all by yourself ! » The earnest boyish admiration was so frank and free that I smiled ^' Where are we going?" he askpd next, and leaning across he held out his hand. " I trust you, of course, implicitly " I grasped it warmly. " I think we can do no better than make our way back by the Coudova road. I know it well, and we can cover most of the way at the gallop. If anything should have been heard of this, Her Majesty will be almost mad with anxiety." " Ah, my dear mother ! You are as thoughtful as you are brave, senor. What a debt do we and Spain not owe to you ! " " Forward then," I said, and urging my horse to a quick canter we pushed on rapidly. We scarcely spoke as we rode, except when I had a word to say about the direction. I on my side had no ■ * :;i )■ i( W f. ! I? •• ■■i.. i' 1= U: • t 190 SARITA, THE CARLIST wish for conversation, and the young King needed ail his strength and attention for his horse. Twice, how- ever, we had to draw rein to wind the horses up hills and then he asked me the question which I had been anticipating and which I did not know how to answer. " You have not told me your name, senor ? " •• And with your Majesty's permission I will fo. the present remain unknown. I am an Englishman, and having been a witness of the attack upon your carnage, followed irt the hope of being of service." " An Englishman ! *' he exclaimed, in great surprise. Then, after a long pause, " I have always read and heard what a brave nation you English are — now I know it for myself. But you must let us know your name. My mother will insist ; and I— well, I should never be happy unless I knew it. I am only a boy, senor ; but I shall never forget you, f^d never rest till I have shown what I think of your co. age." " It is more than probable I may some day ask you for some favour ; but for the present permit me to re- main unknown." We galloped forward again then, and as we rode I thought the tnatter over. If it were known at once in the palace that Ferdinand Carbonnell had effected the rescue, there would be two immediate consequences, both likely to be disastrous to my plans. The Carlists would assuredly hear of it, and my life would be in danger ; while Sebastian Quesada would know at once, and my chances of successfully fighting him would be almost hopelessly minimised. When we drew rein the second time, therefore, at a hill just before we reached the city, I carried the plan further. I ■ AFTER THE RESCUE 191 «• Your Majesty was good enough to say that you trusted me ; may I at once request a favour ? " ;• There is nothing you can ask in my mother's or my power to grant, senor, which you may not now con- sider granted before it is sought," he answered, en- thusiastically. " It is that you will permit me to leave you as soon as we come in sight of the Palace, sire, and that you will grant me an audience at some future time." "Ah, you strain my gratitude, senor, with such a request," he cried with a right kingly air. " My mother will never forgive me if I let you leave me until she has thanked you. You cannot know her, if you ask this. As for the second request, where I am you will always be a most welcome guest, and my most esteemed and trusted friend." then, guiding his horse close to me, he put his hand on my arm, and lapsing again into the boy, he said eagerly and pleadingly : " Do let my mother thank you, senor. You must." " I have more than private reasons, sire. Permit me to press my request." I spoke firmly, for my mind was made up : and perceiving it, he gave way, "But how shall I know when some senor incognito asks for an interview that it is my friend ? " and he laughed. " We were close to Podrida when I was fortunately able to rescue you ; if I send you word that the English- man of Podrida desires an audience, you will know." " The Englishman of Podrida ! " he repeated, smil- ing. '- The Englishman of Podrida. Yes. That will do. No. Stay, I have a fancy, and will make a re- quest in my turn. You wore a mask. Give it me as a keepsake, and it shall be the sure password to me. 1 192 SARITA, THE CARLIST ■ > I tti': I i I When an Englishman wants to see me concerning a mask, I shall know it is you, my Englishman of Pod* rida ; " and he laughed, almost boisterously, as I handed him the silken mask. " But my mother will be sorely disappointed," he added, his face falling. •* There is only one other point, sire. You will do me a further favour if you will suppress the fact that it is an Englishman who has been so fortunate as to help you, ahd if in giving any version of the facts you will keep that for your own knowledge and for her Majesty's ears only." " Surely none but an Englishman would ask that," he answered ; but he gave me the promise, and a quarter of an hour later the Palace came in sight, and we halted. " I shall see you again soon. I shall be. all impa- Hence." " If your Majesty keeps to the arrangements for your attendance at the Opera to-night, a scrutiny of the crowd who will welcome you may discover my face among those present. It would be a wise and reassur- ing step." " I shall be there, of course," he said, and gave me his hand. I watched his boyish figure as he rode sharply for- ward and entered the Palace gates, the sentries saluting with a start of surprise ; and then, turning my horse aside, I made my way back to the stables, and from there drove to my own rooms. I was naturally elated, and indeed exultant, at the success of my scheme of rescue. Come what might, I had made firm friends at the Palace, a result that might be of incalculable value in th■ 194 SARITA, THE CARLIST '• I do not know, senor. The Senor Quesada came here about an hour and a half since, and insisted upon seeing my master. The doctor protested, but the senor prevailed ; and fome ten minutes later the doctor left the house and has not returned. Senor Quesada remained some time with my master— he was here per- haps half an hour in all— and some few minutes after he left my master went out. I know no more." Remembering the doctor's address, I drove there at once, and what he told me made matters appear not better, but worse. " You did not tell me there was any political in- triguing involved in this work," he said, with some indignation. " A pretty mess for me it may be, with mighty ugly consequences. Had I known, I should have left the fees for someone else to earn." " There is nothing of the kind," I answered pretty sharply. "You can come to no harm. I will hold you harmless." " Thank you for nothing. I know Senor Quesada's influence and power to hit hard, and I don't know yours." "This was a matter between Colonel Livenza and myself. Will you tell me what passed this afternoon ? " " Senor Quesada came there in a devil of a temper, and when I tried to stop him seeing my patient, his reply was the pretty one that if I attempted to resist him a minute longer he'd pack me off to gaol for a Carlist. And by the Lord he meant it too : for he hadn't been closeted with Livenza five minutes before he came out to me and told me I was either a dupe or a conspirator, and that if I wasn't out of the house in a twinkling he'd take the latter view and act on it ; ii - n l^l AFTER THE RESCUE 195 and that there was much more in the thing than I seemed to thinlc," " And you left ? " " I'm not quite such a mule as to prefer a gaol to my present quarters, thank you." "You have not had your fees," I said, pulling out my purse to pay him. " And don't want any, if you please." " You explained, of course, that I had retained you ? " " I told him everything that had passed, and thank my patron saint I got out of the place without a police escort." I made such apology to him as I could, and left him, quite unappeased and still full of indignation, and drove in all haste to Quesada's house, feeling very anxious. Matters were moving very fast, much faster than I had anticipated, and I saw that I must play my card boldly. I half expected he would deny himself, but I was shown in without hesitation, and his sister came to me. She was looking very troubled and pale, I thought ; but she greeted me with her customary warmth and cor- diality. " You have not been to see us since your return from England, Senor Carbonnell. That is not how we in- terpret friendship in Spain." " I have been back only two days, senorita, and they have been very full ones. I pray you to excuse me. And even now I have come to see your brother on business." " That is engagingly frank, at any rate," and she tossed her head. " I am very clumsy in my phrase, I fear ; but very i u in •! ■a; 1 196 SARITA, THE CARLIST anxious. Do not think it is not a pleasure to me to see you." " Do you English generally seek pleasure by avoiding it ? " " Scarcely so ; but with us self-denial is sometimes counted a virtue," and I made her an elaborate bow to point the compliment. " Have you practised the same self-denial with ell your Madrid friends ? " and a sharp little glance told me her meaning. " I am unfortunate indeed ; for all my Madrid friends are making the same complaint." " I am surprised. For they have not all the same ground as I have. Do you know how much I wish to be your friend, senor ? " " I know that I could not rank your friendship too high." " Ah, you fence with me ; but it is useless, I know. And the time may come when my friendship may be of more account to you than a mere well-turned phrase." " It must ever be one of my choicest possessions," I answered, wondering what on earth she meant now. " Sebastian is not at home just now, but he will be here soon. Do you think you are wise in seeing him ?" "I have come for that purpose, senorita," I said, firmly. " What have you done to alienate him ? Don't you know that although he can be a true friend— and he wishes above all things to be one— -he can also be a much more powerful enemy?" There was no mistak- ing her tone now for any but one of solicitude for me. What had he been telling her ? " I should have made poor use of my intercourse AFTER THE RESCUE 197 with him if I did not know that," I answered. *« But will you tell me exactly what you mean ?" "No— I cannot; except that you have angered him sorely in some way, and if you are not careful will stand in great danger." " That must be as it ^ "il, senorita. But I was wrong to put that question to you. I should rather put it to your brother himself, and I will do so." " Could you not leave Spain for a while ? " At that moment we heard the sounds of someone in the hall outside the room ; and the senorita drew a quick breath, bit her lip, and turned to listen. " That is Sebastian. Oh, senor, be careful, and do what he may suggest to you ; be advised by him. You have rendered us such a service he will not forget it, of course he never can. But do not anger him. I too am your friend ; and I can help you. Do, do let us be your friends. I can do much with him, and for my sake he will, I know, do what he can. When I think of your possible danger, it strikes me to the heart ; it kills me. Let me beg of you," and her agitation was so great that she was scarcely coherent. " But there is one thing you must not try to thwart him in. Oh, I scarcely know what I am saying," and she wrung her hands in such manifest distress that I was deeply surprised. " I am in no danger, senorita," I answered calmly, to reassure her. " But if I should be, the knowledge of your warning and of your offer of help will always be a welcome thought." To my yet deeper surprise my words appeared to affect her profoundly, and she seized my hand and pressed her lips upon it, the tears in her eyes. Scarcely a reassuring preface for my interview with I 198 SARITA, THE CARLIST I I i iM •.I her brother, who entered the room a moment later. He gave me a sharp, penetrating look, glanced, I thought angrily, at his sister, and exclaimed in a tone of surprise, " Dolores ! " and then, after a pause, " You had better leave us," He held the door for her to leave, and as he closed it behind her he turned to me and said, with a questioning frown on his forehead — " Are you here as a friend, or in what capacity ? " " I have m^ch to say to you," I returned calmly. " And we can best ask and answer that question mu- tually when the interview is over," I met his look with one as firm as his own, and he sat down at his writing-table and waited for me to open the ball. T' ,'*. Jy CHAPTER XVII WAR TO THE KNIFE I DID not keep Sebastian Quesada waiting, but plunged at once into my business. " I do not think our interview need be a very long one, and I will state my object at once. It con- cerns Sarita Castelar. I know that preparations for decisive action against the Carlists have been made, and that all is in readiness for the signal from you. I have just heard very terrible news in the city to-night, concerning a mad wild act of theirs, and being anxious for a reassurance on the senorita's account, I have come to ask you for it." " You will do more wisely not to interfere in our political matters," he answered curtly, with a frown at the mention of Sarita. " I am obliged, of course, by your friendly counsel ; but excuse me if I say I have not come for advice, but information." " I have none to give you ; " and his tone was even sharper than before. It was as stern and hard indeed as his look was dour. But in a moment a great change came. His eyes softened and his face brightened, and, using the tone of our former intercourse, he added: "Why can't we remain friends, Carbonnell ? Why do you come to me like this ? It is but an hour mm riii i i I'll m i :-;l ■'SI |1. ^; 200 SARITA, THE CARLIST or two since we parted, and nothing can have occurred since that need estranjje us ; and there was no cloud between us then. Don't you think I wish to be your friend now as I did then ? " I looked at him in considerable surprise. His over- tures did not touch me in the least ; I was searching for his motive and could not find it. "Before you and I can speak again of friendship, there are matters which must be explained," I answered,' coldly. « Since I saw you this afternoon, you have impliedly accused me of complicity in this Carlist business : I have that from the doctor whom you frightened away from Colonel Livenza's house. You have also intervened in the quarrel between Colonel Livenza and myself— a quarrel which had its origin in an errand on which you sent him." He listened closely, and was too skilled in masking his looks to give any indication of the effect of my words. But I thought he was surprised when I stopped, having said so little. "Your quarrel with Livenza was the outcome of the scene at the Caf^ de I'Europe, where the hot-headed fool insulted you." "No, that was the open cause. The real one was the result of his coming to Senorita Castelar's at the time I was there— a visit timed by you." " Livenza is in love with the senorita, and hopes to marry her ; and you know how some of us Spaniards feel on such matters. But what is this to me ? " " You had given me good news to carry to her, you knew when I was going, and you sent Livenza there. What happened afterwards was the direct consequence." " It is preposterous ! " he cried, with a shrug of the WAR TO THE KNIFE 201 shoulders. " As if I could be responsible for what two angry men do when they quarrel. Really ! " and he laughed. Clearly he was relieved that I had nothiuir worse to say. " I am glad at any rate that you have not hurt each other." This with a scarcely veiled sneer. "When a man who professes to be my friend deliber- ately tries to embroil me in an affair which may cost me my hfe, 1 do not dismiss it with a shrug of the shoulders and a laugh, as something too trivial to be noticed. But if you will give me the information I came for, I will go." '• I have no information to give you ; " and he got up lo thaf I answer lam not going without it, nor without an assurance and a proof of Sarita Castelar's safety-and safety without any entangling complica- tions ; and I looked at him as I said the last sentence with a meaning that did not escape him. " The only information I can give you is that which to-morrow will be public property ; that our police and soldiery are even now engaged in hunting out these reckless traitors and conspirators who have carried their audacity to the point of abducting our beloved young King. All those who have had a hand in this dastardly scheme will suffer, and if the Senorita Caste- lar has been mad enough to meddle with such treason no power in the State can save her from the conse' quences.' But instead of being impressed by his vehemence I smiled. "And you say a// would suffer ? " " Every man, woman, and child concerned. I have this moment come from a Council of State." m j H il I i HI In 202 SARITA, THE CARLIST "And the master mind who planned this coup and by whose help and information it was alone possible >" As I half unsheathed this sword of attack, his own weapon leapt at once from the scabbard, and he answered hotly— "Is one Ferdinand Carbonnell, senor?" He spoke with grim significance, meeting my look with eyes full of fire and threat, and his misinterpretation of my meaning was wilful. "A name that at a word from me will be full of peril for its owner. We Spaniards love our Kii^g with a force which the people of other countries cannot fathom." There was no mistaking his meaning. He knew of the coincidence which had bound up my name so closely with the Carlist intrigues, and he was threatening to saddle the responsibility upon me. Nor was it by any means an empty threat in the present temper of the loyalists. Once get me packed away into a Spanish gaol on such a charge, and I might whistle either for the chance of a fair trial or an opportunity of even communicating with the outside— to say nothing of approaching the King. The scent of personal danger began to come near ; and I recalled how on more than one occasion he had warned me against meddling with Carlist matters. He watched me closely in the short pause, and then broke It to say in a tone conciliatory and temperate- " I am still willing to be your friend. Leave Madrid to-night and cross the frontier with all speed, and all may be well. I cannot answer for what my colleagues will do when they know who Ferdinand Carbonnell is, and that he is a member of the British Embassy staff! Be advised and go while there is time." i^ WAR TO THE KNIFE 203 escaJ hi ' '*"''''""' ^"''^"'^ ^he chance of escape before me. "Do I understand you to mean that, knowinjr touTh^f h' T ' ^"^ ^"' ^^^' ' ^™ abs;iuteIyTn* touched by these matters, you yourself would be so tne Carlist ? I spoke with the galling sting of slow prease de hberation ; and even his pfactised se f rl' sra.n could not repress a start of anger nor prevent h.s saUow face turning pale at this thrust. But my anger had betrayed me int. a bad blunder-I sawT the moment the words were out of my lips ; and as he recovered h.mself he shrugged his shoulder and threw up h.s hands as he faced me. It was a declaration o" war from me. and as such he treated it. His tone was as Jevel as my own-stern, official, and hard. I know nothing of yourself or your history except what you have told me. You say you came he're a few weeks smce, and yet I find your name known every where. You rendered my sister a service, and then confid'' '" Ti: '°" "^^ '"^° -"^ ^°"«^--- In that confidence I have said many things to you, which you may have used for these Carlist purposes. I gave you my confidence and my friendship because I believed aU you told ^ e If „,y faith in you was wrongly placed you have had opportunities of getting information Things have, I know, leaked out, but I have neve; thought of you before in this connection. For aught I kno. to the contrary-for I know only what you have SrbrneL^^^^"-^^" ""'' '^ '^'' ^^^ ^-^^-^ " By God, but you are a blackguard." I cried, my i ■4 204 SARITA, THE CARLIST rage leaping quite beyond control, as I jumped to my feet. " The worst that men say of you is not half so bad as this foul conduct. Do your worst. Tell this lie if you will. Fling me into one of your gaols if you dare— and I will leave it to prove that the man who planned this act against the King, which fills you now with such honest patriotic indignation, was not Ferdi- nand Carbonnell, but you, Sebastian Quesada, and prove it I can under your own handwriting. Stop," I thundered, as I saw him making his way to the bell to summon assistance. " Try to bring your servants here, and I'll fling myself on you and choice the life out of you before they can come. I have yet a word, and you'd better hear it. You wrote me a note to-day to ask me to ride with you." He started and glanced at me as I made an intentional pause. " At the same time you were writing another note giving the latest news of the young King's movements, so that these Carlists might trap him safely. That note I received and possess ; the other went to your jackal Livenza for him to make the necessary arrangements. Those notes are m safe hands, and if you dare to lay a finger on me the whole plan will be revealed— the whole truth told, with all your black treachery uppermost," His answer was more in character than any he had yet made. He turned to his table and sounded his bell vigorously ; and for a few moments of tense silence we waited. " Send Senor Rubio to me," he said to the servant who came. I knew th2 name as that of one of the chief police agents ; and knew also that he had determined to haye me arrested, f ML WAR TO THE KNIFE ,05 qutnccs." ""' ' "'"° X"" <>' «l>. conK. now fed roy pow„ " ' ''"'' "" ""• ^'"' """ kling eyes. ''^"^ty-faced man, w.th quick-twin- s.:s.rsfr Se^rw;:rr;„,r "■= "'- -' back." • ^" ^ ^°'^ you to hold " I have, your Fxcellency." custody ; .h. warrant will be ^ade om" ' "" '" Embassy her. i„ Madrid. I shall resist a res. InH The official heard this with b««-\i- a. _.he Minister for a^tZZ' '""""'' "" '"""=" Do your duty. Senor Rubio. You have my orders " You must come with me. olease '• c,m i turning to me. P'«ase, said the man, 1 1 am armed," was my reply. "D„y"„he°ar'r'.''hn",H"r'''" """ '^uesada, sternly, but at "his he wen ^o ,t ' h"*="'^' ""• "" "'^" l^"-" i assistant It was c lea L r.',"^''™'' ''">"" taslc; and he aDoearlH , ''"" '""""" '"' 'h^ «h<^n fnstead o^hi , '"' "''"'"' ">an surprised -M to her b^oZ'^utlSyi"" ^-^'^ ^«"-="- ""' Ifit ! ! S 1 206SARITA, THE CARLIST " I heard that Senor Rubio had been »ent (or; and before anything more U done I have Komcthing to »ay to you. Dismiu him for a moment." To my surprise, her brother sent him away. •* Have you ordered Senor Carbonnell's arrest?" " This is no concern of yours, Dolores." •• Why have you two quarrelled ? " she cried passion- ately, and turned to me as if demanding an explana- tion. But I, of course, could give her none, and said so. " Sebastian, Senor Carbonnell shall not be arrested. I will not have it." "Senor Carbonnell will scarcely wish to owe his safety to you," he answered, with an ugly sneer. ♦• Nor is this a matter in which I can allow you to interfere. He has come here purely out of solicitude for the safety of his friend— Sarita Castelar. You owe him thanks for what he did for you, and, remembering that, I have tried to induce him to leave the country. He will not, and as he remains he must take the consequences. This is a State matter, and, I repeat, you must not in- terfere. It can do you no good." That there was a meaning under his words which she understood was clear by her change of colour ; but when he finished she turned upon him as if to retort angrily. She checked herself, however, and instead asked me, in a voice that only with a great effort she was able to keep firm and cool : " Will you not give your word to leave Spain, Senor Carbonnell ? " " Certainly I cannot and will not, senorita," I replied, marvelling much at the turn things were taking. "You hear?" exclaimed Quesada, lifting his eye- brows. " You know why he stays ? " Jyy WAR TO THE KNIFE .07 iJnZr"'''^.'u ""'*" *■'«'•' "' ^'^ »'*^^t- She ttnlc into a cha.r and bent her head on her hand. This gtep is necemry, Dolores. Be warned • and leave US," he continued, in the «,me meaning ton^. "I do not care, I do not care. This shall not be I "t"' Vcr^r,' ' '^"^ 'y ''^ "°'y Virgrit hal not. Her words came with almost hysterical vehe mence. " I claim his safety. Come what mTyldare' you to harm him. Sebastian. I dare you '• and sh! sprang to her feet again. " Senor. the Jay is open for you. open it. No one shall harm you You are a man of honour, and will at least remember that^l" She stopped. ny UbcnT^ ™barras«d ; bu,, reflecting how „„ch my liberty at that moment might mean to Sarita I turned toward, the door to «. if i was really to ge! I mighT'd'o."'"' ^""^"^ ■""""""« '" "'•' "" »' "hat .'.' l!°u V.'!"' *" «"• "'""■■■" »"!<' «>•« "ster. I shall a ways remember to whom I owe my liberty • bro.he°r h" h™ '"""' '° '"■ ">' ''"" which yoi; ow?a"iLr ■.""'""■• "" '"'"""'°" -"' '"i- »y .i™7a'^'.rn"yrd"d:*df:i;""' '"'"''' "*''"■ "■'' "Sebastian, if you dare to thwart me in this I will cT::;'^.' *° "" "'"" "" »yw"a.-you 1.™;" " You are ruining us. Dolores." Her reply was worthy of her brother for its direct- official. ""' ''''''°°^' ^"' ^^"^^ '" '^« Po''ce I il n ao^ SARITA, THE CARLIST " Sennsette had told me 47 was part of the number of the house I sought, and one of the first I saw being 147, I determined to try that first. It was a doctor's house— Dr. Pascual Vedia, and when I rang the bell a maid-servant opened the door, and showed me into a consulting room. My nerves had been so wrought upon by the events of the day, the scene at the Opera, my fears for Sarita, and now by the extraordinary nature of my present mission, that this commonplace conventional reception seemed quite a ridiculous anti-climax. Despite all my anxiety I caught myself smiling when I was left alone. " What an ass 1 am," I exclaimed ; " as if I was to expect the long black conspirators' cloaks, the sharp daggers, slouched hats of picture books ! This may very well be the place after all." My meditations were broken by the entrance of the doctc , a man of some Till tlrff. |i! I; ■ -I 111 nm 222 SARITA, THE CARLIST forty years of age, with the most approved medical manner. A comfortable-looking person in complete keeping with his conventional surroundings, who smiled encouragingly while he looked me over with a profes- sional eye. If he was a dangerous Carlist, danger and Carlism certainly appeared to agree with him. " You wish to consult me, senor ? My servant did not bring me your name." His manner was easy and insinuating. " I have not called to consult you, but wish to see the Senorita Castelar, who is, I believe, here. I have grave and urgent news for her." " I am afraid there is some mistake. My name is Pascual Vedia. I am a physician." It struck me he said this to look at me and gain time to think. There was just a second of hesitation ; and then he added : " May I ask your name ? " " My name is of no importance if the senorita is not here. But the news I bring is of the utmost gravity — to her and others," and I emphasised the words with a glance of meaning. This time the pause before he replied was longer ; then he answered — *• My wife has a few friends this evening, but the senorita is not here." " You know her ?" I asked quickly. " Really, as I have not the pleasure of knowing your name " and he left the sentence unfinished, with an uplifting of the hands. He was fencing with me, that was unmistakable. And, more than that, he was suspi- cious. When I saw that, the means of at once testing and reassurring him occurred to me. I looked him straight in the eyes, and very deliberately repeated tlie formula I had learned from Vidal de Pelayo. A CARLIST GATHERING 223 of 'i^d"""^ '" ""'^^'^^ '"^^" °f S-*-. by the grace aeep earnestness, and gave n.e his hand. His manner underwent a remarkable change; his easy, n at "If fact med.cal practitioner air dropped like a ma k and I <^o">d not know, of course," he said, in explanation The senonta .s here, but on the point of leaving W 11 you come to her with me? Or shall I bring "«; here? You are from Saragossa_or, better fron Huesca And all is well, I hope. We haJ; been waitmg for this." '^^" His reply showed me there would be no danger of |dent.ficat.on if I went with him, since it was cleaf tha none of the men whom I had outwitted that afternoon had yet returned with the news. I was doubtM moreover, whether Santa would come to me without heanng my name, while if I sent it to her she m gh raise delay or difficulty. ^ I decided to go with him therefore, and he led me to a " " I cannot tell you now ; but I know it, and more. I believe, too, that I can bring this home to him. Many strange things have happened since I saw you yester- day, and with your help I can drag him down and can expose his treachery to the King as well as to you all. If you will not save yourself because I ask you, will you do it to help in punishing him ? " " I am not a coward to fly," she answered ; but I could see that I had touched her. " I will denounce him." " From where ? From the inside of one of his pri- sons ? As wiiat ? As a well-known leader of the Car- lists ? Think, Sarita, and for God's sake think quickly, for every minute may make your peril greater ; and not yours only, but mine as well. What heed would be paid to anything a Carlist might say against him at such a moment ? " " I will come," she cried then, impetuously ; and in a minute we had explained our intention to those who still remained, and left the house. "Where are you going?" asked Sarita, when we reached the street. Aibai A CARLIST GATHERING 229 " For to-night to the Hotel de I'Opera, where my sister is." I explained the position there, and then the change my brother's death had caused, and that I was no longer to be known as Ferdinand Carbonnell, but as Lord Glisfoyle ; that the next day our whole party would leave Madrid, and that she and Madame Chan- sette would leave with us " You can stay if you please in Paris, or anywhere out of Spain, and for the purpose of the escape we must decide in what character you will travel. That's as far as I've got with our plans, but no one will look for you in Mrs. Curwen's rooms at the hotel." "I will not promise to leave Madrid," she said, firmly. " Just as you please. No doubt Quesada can find a cell for each of us if we remain," I returned, pointedly. " If you stay, I stay, Sarita : on that I take my oath." Without waiting for a reply, I told her rapidly so much of what had occurred since I had seen her as I deemed necessary : the quarrel with Livenza, the inter- view with Quesada, my discovery of his connivance in the Carlist plot, and that I had faced him with it, and then the scene at Quesada's house that evening ; and I was at great pains to make it as clear as I could that all the Minister's plans were laid well in advance to deal this overwhelming blow at the Carlists, when the King had once been put away. Told as the story was now, with all the evidence of police activity in full sight, and broken by more than one pause, as we had to stand aside to avoid the rush of the howling mob as some party of prisoners was dragged past us, it carried conviction. " This is no chance work of an hour, Sarita. The !i 230 SARITA, THE CARLIST plans have been ready and the preparations made for days past, merely waiting the signal. The very war- rants under which these men and women here are being imprisoned have been lying ready signed in the pigeon- holes of Quesada's office, and the lists have been made out with scrupulous deliberation and method. This was the r«^ception he had in readiness for the friends by whose deed he meant to climb. Success or failure was all one to him. If the plot had succeeded, he would have crushed you Carlists, to leave no one in his path ; it has failed, and he can still use it to consolidate his power and strengthen his influence as a jealous Minister of the King. His treachery is the only true thing in him." As we drew nearer the heart of the city, the throng in the streets increased, and the noise and din of the clamour were incessant. Something of the infection of the wonderful enthusiasm I had witnessed in the Opera had spread to the streets. It was known that the young King was unhurt, and had appeared there ; and the vast crowds were giving tongue to their feelings in every key of frantic enthusiasm, vented now in royster- ing, rollicking shouts of loyalty, and again in fierce, wild curses upon the Carlists and all traitors. A scene to try the strongest nerves ; and I was not surprised that even Sarita's courage began to fail, and she clung to my arm in apprehension. There was cause indeed, for the mob was growing dangerous, and more than one ugly incident occurred close by us. The mere cry of "Carlist!" raised against either man or woman, was enough to bring the mob howling round like wolves scenting prey. And, as in all mobs, there were not wanting those who ft 3 1 II' A CARLIST GATHERING 231 from motives of robbery or personal spite were ready to raise the cry, and so set light to the dangerous fires of violence. Thus on one occasion we were standing back from the on-pressing crowd as a couple of prisoners were bemg taken by, when the cry of " Carlist spies !" was raised against a man and woman. It was started in the shrill tone of an old tatterdemalion hag who had begged an alms and had been refused. In an instant the two found themselves surrounded by a cursing, shouting, shrieking throng, their angry faces thrust forward in fierce denunciation, threateningly close to the pallid, fear-set features of the couple, and a hun- dred outstretched hands were quivering with the menace of violence. Someone gave the man a push from behind, and in a trice the two were separated, the man pulled, thrust, hustled, and whirled away like a leaf on the tempest of passionate ruthlessness, amid a war of oaths and curses ; while by a chance the woman, forgotten in the instant of violence, drifted to us, and we let her creep in behind us and hide till the storm had passed. A cry of «' Carlist ! " from below us soon carried the mob in search of the fresh victims, and we stood a minute, Sarita whispering to the woman to gather courage, as the danger was passed. And while we waited, the man who had been with her came back, helped by some friend who had found him battered,' bruised, bleeding from a dozen hurts, and with the remnants of his clothing hanging on him in rags. Sarita would have stayed to help the unfortunate pair, but the danger of the streets was too great, and I led her away. I\ '■ " I asked Mayhew. " Nonsense," he said, with another laugh " The thing's absurd. Here, you probably know me-or HOTEL DE L'OPERA 243 nonf ! ^"^^^sy- I tell you, this is Lord Glisfovle Don get yourself into trouble and cause no end of comphcat,ons by carrying this thing any further." renlf/ \ '^' "^'""^ °^ ^" present?" was the reply for he was by no means satisfied yet. Curwen'°sl?d M " T^* ''^' ^°'^ ^^^ ^^is is Mrs. foyr.s 'siste 7^' '°°"^- "'''»'^^ '^ Lord Glis- ^V^ tnche^^He ^ U 'l ^7 tT^ rpti^r T ^-r ^^^ --- w -ThTi'L:: was puzzled, and stood pulling his beard in indecision feL Jfr'/^'--^at the two girls, vastly toTy " E,.. "'^' ''^'' ' ^^"-^^ ^*"'^ ^1^°"' myself. Excuse me a moment," he said, and going to the rtrjitrhf °"^ °^ ^^^ '"^" ^^° -"^ '^-' - ^^e sai7t°h"en""' !;'''^'"^"^ Carbonnell, we are sure." he nhl V^""^ to my consternation he was holding a photograph .n his hand. I remembered then tfat Quesada had obtained one from me Mayler '' "° '''''"' ^^^ '*°"''''" ^"*^ ^^ ^''^^^^ »' to I saw Sarita start at this, while Mercy had to clin^ hold to her and be helped to a chair ^ "ril go with you, of course," I said. " But I shall hohi you responsible for this. My sister is not wel t'sarrLhrM ''""'r" '^^ '"^'^ her positively n' takinin ^ • '^' ^ '^'^' Soingo^er to them, and akmg occasion to whisper to Sarita, " I shall be per ectly safe if you'll only get away. They can do noth. rom t^eV^K ^ ^f-'"°'-'-ow they'll have a broadside from t*e Embassy that'll make them shake i« tlieir lii 1 i-V^ I ri if- % m 244 SARITA, THE CARLIST shoes. But promise to leave Madrid with Mrs. Cur- wen." " Should 1 run away and leave you in danger ? " she said. " I can't stop to argue, but if you care for me and my safety, you'll do what I ask. I'm ready," I said aloud. " Just let me see your documents." He showed me an order signed by Quesada himself, the alleged offence being high treason ; and I read it aloud in order that Sarita should hear it, and I was shaking l^ands with Mrs. Curwen preparatory to leav- ing when there came another interruption. Two officers in very elaborate uniforms were ushered in by a waiter, with every sign of extreme deference. They were complete strangers to me, and my heart leapt into my mouth in fear that it boded mischief to Sarita. " Pray pardon me, madam," said one of them in Eng- lish to Mrs. Curwen. " I hope we are not intruding ; but we come on a mission of the highest importance. I was told Lord Glisfoyle was your guest, and I see " this with a most courteous bow to me — " I was not misinformed." '♦ I am Lord Glisfoyle, but I do not recall the plea- sure of having seen you before." "That is my loss, sir," and he bowed again. "I know you, however, by sight, having seen you to-night in Mrs. Curwen's box at the Opera, and afterwards I learnt from this gentleman, Mr. Mayhew, of your Em- bassy, that you were staying here. I am Colonel Vasca, this is Colonel Damara," and we all bowed again like willows in a breeze. " We come from the King, and .bring His Majesty's earnest request that you will wait HOTEL DE L-OPERA ,45 Q"«n Mother, whoaE" .i™ " "" *'"'"'>' "■« Pl«e, while the police 7Z^T , * """" '" "">• --^r::^rt'hr.M47„\r^---^'^ kalf a dozen w" ds SeZ '^'^"'"Oa agent in about their bu.i„. ; T :" tS;: r^ "'^ "'" """'"f profuse, most elaborate TnH^ ° "" * thousand Sies, and toot their^^^ve :lT'''''^' ""''""^ 'P"'"" ■ka. were almost over^o'eri^g *" °' "^•■"' '" »' o.rin"cidr;r;«:s;rne''''" "■- »"•" ^''■' -.._who asted :.brrr,XV,"rX ro:,"°errnd: iid 7zf:,:v: *" ^° '^™-'^ "'■'- gation > •• apparently under so great an obli- "o^bt "wuho'i^s^rif "" "'" ' ''"^-^ ""o- -ay not know 'how tians^r""""''' '""" '""- ' "« IH u CHAPTER XXI SARITA'S FLIGHT MRS CURWEN, Mercy and Mayhew, were almost as keenly interested as Sarita herself in the question she had asked with such vehe- mence dnd thus my hesitation in answering was the more noticeable. Their motives were, of course very different from hers, and I could have put them off with some light evasion ; but with Sarita that would prob- ably be both useless and dangerous; and her sus- picion deepened with every second of my hesitation. It was all but impossible for me to tell her the truth —that I had thwarted the long cherished plot and saved the young King. I could only tell her that when I was in a position to convince her that Quesada's policy was, as I had described it, to use the Carlist plot and then crush the plotters. Moreover, the position, so far as I myself was con- cerned, had been completely changed by the death of my brother. Up till that moment I had been a soldier of fortune with my way to make ; and the rescue of the King had offered just the chance of chances which a man with such an aim might most desire. I had meant to make Spain my home and to build a career on the foundation of my contest with Quesada. There was danger in it, of course ; but I was not scared by that ; and when I gained my knowledge of his double treach- PI' i Si SARITA'S FLIGHT 247 ery, the means to success were I felt, practically within my reach. The fact that Quesada feared me sufficiently to resort to the extreme step of clapping into gaol a member of the Embassy staff on a charge he knew to be false, and one which he could not substantiate, and the extraordi- nary admission he had made to his sister, that by demanding my release she was ruining them, ! ?d given powerful confirmation to my confidence ; and this attempted arrest in despite of Dolores' intervention, and probably without her knowledge, was still further cor- roboration of my view that he feared me. But the fact that I was now the head of the family had altered everything. From the instant I had known that, my purpose changed, and my object was to save Sarita, and with her get out of Spain at the earliest moment. I had no thought or intention of declaring my identity to the King unless in actual need of His Majesty's protection, and in view of the difficulty of explaining that act of mine to Sarita, I had meant the whole thing to remain a mystery. And yet here I was faced at the most critical and inopportune moment with the necessity of explaining. " The question seems strangely difficult to answer," said Sarita, when I did not reply. " I don't know that I need say that. There seems to be a good deal of misapprehension about me every- where. Probably I can better answer the question when I have been to the Palace— if I go at all, that is. But I am not particularly anxious for His Majesty's goodwill, and prefer to leave Madrid." "I shall not leave Madrid now," cried Sarita, in- stantly. " And I shall go at once to my home." At m U j \ r ' * lii J48 SARITA, THE CARLIST this Mercy and Mrs. Curwen broke into earnest pro- tests, to which Sarita listened uimiovcd. ** You are one of us now, Saritu, yuu must not act in this desperate way, your very life may be in danger," said Mercy, earnestly. ♦' You do not understand," was the firm, steady re- ply. " I am in no real danger ; and if I were I should care nothing. For what I have done, I am prepared to answer. I have plotted for my rightful King, Don Carlos, and I am not afraid to own it. I had built everything upon this stroke to-day, and it has failed. Why ? Your brother knows probably better than any one else ; and until that mystery is cleared up, I cannot accept your brother's or your help. I thank you foj your offer — from my heart I thank you — but I cannos accept it." " This is madness, Sarita," I cried warmly, going to her. I spoke in Spanish, and Mrs. Curwen and Mercy left us and with Mayhew went to the other end of the room. " The name of it does not matter ; it is the thing itself I care for. I consented to leave not because of my own risk in remaining. I am not a coward to run away because I have failed. I have always had the possibility, nay, the probability, of failure in my thoughts, and have always been prepared to face the consequences. If I could contemplate the necessity of marrying Sebastian Quesada, do you think I should fear a prison? I consented now, because of the dan- ger to you ; but you stand safe under the golden light of His Majesty's favour ; how gained you know and I fear ; but being gained, my motive for flight is gone. I shall stay in Madrid and shall return to my home." SARITA'S FLIGHT 249 I knew her too well to entertain much hope that she would change her mind, and what to do I knew not. "You judge me very quickly," I said. "Can you explain the King's sudden favour ?" "Is it not clear that this raiding of to-night had nothing to do with the success or failure of the attempt on the King ? " "Can you explain the King's sudden favour?" 1 paused, and then took the plunge. "Yes. I took His Majesty this afternoon from the hands of the men who were carrying him off." " It is enough. I will go, if you please," she said, quietly. " You will step straight into danger," I cried. " I would rather be in danger where you are not, llian safe where you are, Lord Glisfoyle." The cold, cutting words struck me to the heart. " That is very hard to hear, Sarita." "It is harder to say, but it is no less than the truth." " Yet, I will not believe it. Your heart will not say it. You know how I love you. You know I have not a thought or care but for your good, your safety, your happiness. You have confessed you love me ; I know you do. I know that it was your love for me that prompted you just now to think of my danger and con- sent to leave Madrid. Even now I can read it in your eyes, for all the coldness you would try to force into them. You shall not go like this. I swear to God you shall not. If you speak of truth and mean that we must part, there must be at least some sign from you of that other truth— the heart truth— that you love me, Sarita. I will not let you go else." She was moved by my passion, although she would rf .h • i;l.i to 1*4 M ii ::■-;" 1' \i '',11, , lli ■ \ ■i ! ;^ ' i^ ■f ■ . 1 ir V w 250 SARITA, THE CARLIST not let her own respond to it. But the struggle kept her silent a moment. Then she lifted her head and looked me calmly and still even coldly in the eyes. " Do you think I would let my love weigh against treachery to the cause of my country that is more to me than life itself ? Am I so poor a thing as that ? If you wish to give me pain you are causing it. I love you ; I know, as you know. I was not ashamed of it ; even if I now feel shame that I loved one who could deal Spain this blow. But I shall live it down— I will. But you and I must not meet again." Her firmness be- gan to give out then, and breaking slightly, she said in a quicker tone of agitation, " Let me go now. Nay, I will go." " You are as hard as steel, Sarita, but before you break both our lives in this wild, impulsive way, you must have time to think. Remember what I have told you, how all that has occurred to-night has long been planned, and that it would have occurred just the same if I had not saved the King. Indeed, it was actually being done while Quesada still believed the attempt on the King had been successful." " There is no proof of this," she interposed. " That is the first ray of hope you have given me. If I prove it, will you recall the wild words you have spoken to-night ? Give our love at least this one chance, Sarita," I pleaded. " You cannot prove it," she said wavering. " When I have proved it, I will put that question again. And now as to to-night. You cannot go out into the streets in the midst of uproar, and no power on God's earth shall make me let you do it. Stay here to-night, promise to see me to-morrow— I will take no SARITA'S FLIGHT 251 refusal ; and I have some claim on you, if for nothing else, for the warning I carried to-night to the Calle Va enca Prom.se that, and 1 will see Madame Chan- sette and relieve her anxiety. She herself is leaving Madnd, broken down by all this trouble, and when we meet to-morrow you can make your decision. You will do th.s " At first she would not promise, but my de- termmation prevailed, and she agreed to stay at the me then ' "°™'"^ ' ^"' """"'^ "°' P'^""'^" ^° ^«« I accepted the compromise, however, and having hurriedly explained the matter to Mrs. Curwen and Mercy, I left with Mayhew, to go and relieve Madame Chansette's anxiety. • " Did I hear you say you saved the young King > " he asked me as we passed down the stairs. " Yes, unfortunately." "Unfortunately! Why, when it's known, you'll be the most popular hero in all Spain." "And to-night, I am about the most wretched. I could wish His Majesty had gone to the devil before I interfered in the matter ; " and feeling half-distracted by my gloomy thoughts, I pushed on through the now housT^ ^'''"'^ '" ^^^ direction of Madame Chansette's We found her waiting up in great distress at Sarita's prolonged absence, and dreading to hear she had been arrested. The news we brought relieved her anxiety and having stayed with her a short time we left "Where are you going now?" asked Mayhew. Hadn t you better come and turn in with me ? " " No, I think I'll take the risk of going to my own rooms. I don't fancy the police or Quesada will think 'I.;. ':' NH... ' iit- I li 252 SARITA, THE CARLIST for 9 moment that I shall return there. And in fact I don't care if they do." " Rubbish, man. You come with me. You're hipped DOW, and want an hour or two's sleep. I'll go to your rooms first thing in the morning ; " and not caring, I agreed. I was as tired as a dog after a hard day's hunting, and within a few minutes of reaching May- hew's rooms I fell into a heavy sleep and did not wake until late in the morning, to find my friend by my bed shaking me vigorously. I was vastly refreshed, and had my bath and some breakfast while he went over to my rooms. *' Everything seems all right there,'* he reported. " And I brought over the first* things I could find. But I think you may venture there to get something decent to wear for the interview at the Palace." " My dear fellow, I wouldn't put my head inside my rooms for a pension, till I've been to the hotel." " But last night you wanted to go and sleep there." " Last night was last night, Silas, and I felt done ; but I'm myself again this morning. Now look here, there are things to do. In the iirst place, I've written out a wire for the lawyers about matters in London. Poor Lascelles' funeral must wait a day or two if need be. Then you've got to see about the special train for Mrs. Curwen and Mercy to leave, with Sarita, if she'll go. But the others must go, and probably poor old Madame Chansette with them. If Sarita goes, I go ; if she stops on, I stop on. I was a fool to leave the hotel at all last night, and my brain must have been addled or in my boots for me to do it." " Why not go to London and clear the business there out of the way ; let things simmer down here, and ;H: Ni: SARITAS FLIGHT .53 «•■ I'-n off ,0 the hotel •• '"" """"y "o«r, and feel -«:hl?;o"" "'"■="""«' -"'e'".™. Hecaodo wiii "orireTtt^ fhTch''""'""' -« ' -. -0 Of his wil, ,ay „ br.hVtet'°'V'"' ""^' '«™«= "ith that. I don't knoTwhatW "' """^ '"•">» I "o know this, that whire SarL "^ "i "^PP™ : but » Ion, as rm outside a gaomHr*"'^' '»"<'«' i '"d w.th you twice a dav V,a ' '"" '"■"""■■■icate hear from me, then tell th, .v , '^.''" "'' J"" don't 'tVt°h«r;a' rt^H'--"'""'""^ -s to happenUrrte/hoot' hH' '"" ^ ^^^^ <<"' As I drove to the H^e df ro ° "f"' wasasf„li„f,o,di / 7 '°f " ' ^^^ '»= city ""t no one interfered with L ."" """" ^'--S" ; ■narks of increased respeC .^h' ^". ." ""= '■°'=' "•= "idenced the influenceof J 1""""" ' ""' '"='«d 'rem the King "="« o'"" Previous night's message Everything else was wrong, however. 254 SARITA, THE CARLIST Mrs. Curwen and Mercy were waiting for me in a condition of nervous excitement, and Madame Chan- sette was with them. But as I had more than half dreaded, Sarita was gone. She had slept with Mercy and had got up early, dressed, and written a note for me before Mercy had iawoke. " She was just leaving, and her kiss woke me," said Mercy, who was in sore trouble. " I did my utmost to persuade her to stay, at all events until you came, but I could do nothing against her resolve. I asked her where she was going, but she would not say. ' I am going to my friends, who are in trouble and have need of me. I have work to do, and under no circum- stances could I stay with you. Give your brother a note I have written,' was all she would answer. I am so sorry, Ferdinand." " It is not your fault, Mercy ; I more than half feared it, and blame myself for not having stayed here in the hotel. Do you know anything of her movements, Madame Chansette ? " •' She did not come home. I sent here the first thing in the morning for news of her, and when word came that she was no longer here, 1 hurried to the hotel my- self. I meant to tell her I will not stay any longer in Madrid. I cannot. I am miserable. It will kill me, this incessant danger," and she wrung her hands. " She will be sure to let you hear from her," \ said, qtuetly, wishing to calm her anxiety. "How can she if she is in one of those horrible prisons ? " " She is not there, and I shall find her, be assured," I answered, with much more confidence than I felt. •* Do you know where Ramon is ? " SARITA'S FLIGHT .55 place. But I don't knot rt °^- °' ^"« >'«:'• Bo you know what name he is using ? " "GoTrwi^tdr '""-""^Souno." whajshe-sa/srer-tdroSi;:".:/-"' I make you— ^o to Fn,rio 7 Tl' "® '^*' request r««^ u ^^ iJ-ngland and forget we ev*.r «-* Good-bye. Sarita Castelar " »« we ever met. "Does she tell you anything?" asked M.A Chansette, eagerly, for I had read the le ter twf u long pauses of thought. '''"'^ '^'*'» " Not a word as to where she is goin^ She f.u only that she does not wish to J.\ *^"^ *"« spoke calmly, and tried To hid °^ '"^ '"" '"^•" ^ in.s Of ,, J,V, pairand'anlVlS Xllw- '"'" my heart; and, putting the J '"" "^^"^^ 8^"awmg at added: "Andnowastfvn. , '" ""^ P^*^''^^ I to return to t^ZnuJrT^ru ' r'""'' ''' ^^^ -.-ndlea^;---;:^^-^^^ to help y Hen youVe founj h:" ^Andlr: rst^"" Mr. Mayhew .s arranging for a special train." I sa^ rr Ml I'i 256 SARITA, THE CARLIST " Then Mr. Mayhew can travel in it, and take thi dear old lady and Mercy. 1 stop in Madrid, and nott ing shall move me — unless you want me to be some where else in this detestable country." " And I can't go without Mrs. Curwen, Nand, ca I ? " cried Mercy. "I call it just real mean of her to have gone off i this way ; but I will say she is a brick to stick to he friends h\ a mess. And if ever she wants a friend, am on call ; and that's all about it. Don't you thin Madame Chansette had better stay with us until th senorita's found ? " "You are a true friend, and I shall never forge this," I answered ; and, indeed, I was much moved b her spirited declaration, and more by her praise c Sarita. " I will not say another word about it. But must get to work." I wrote a letter to the young King, apologising fo not being able to go to the Palace, and pleading urger and most embarrassing business ; and, having d« spatched it, promised Mrs. Curwen and Mercy to 1< them know how things went, if I could, and said the in any case they would hear of me through Mayhew. With that I hurried away to commence my search. CHAPTER XXII AN UNEXPECTED MEETING enable me lo form T™' '°° '"«"' '<> definite opinion asTo :LXr„;°fo"'r ',"'"* ' gness, build up a workable theory al/. ""'" °"'J' something turned up to guide^T °''°° " ""''' '^'ttrr:r:rx'bin/rr "^.ei i?:iLf- :,^-.«^o''^^^ Ramon, i, other co„sWra.o„?d°H "^""°"o join course undesirable. """""'"' <"<• "Ot render such a My plan was quiclclr form»/i t • •he Carlist Character oJ ^rttaand C k""" "'*''°P' tiiat name push mv inoail Carbonnell, and in «l'es. The name waf a™ /"""^ '"= Carlists them- ■•' would be „„le« I"ita hers'Srr.r"^ "■="' " an impostor. That was a c^lT " ''"'='"°" •"' -.icipate but I had-no Xr-^^a^^tt" ' *" ""' vaL-a^amrD;- ^ed^rwr r "•'° -•«'" ^« •he previous nigh, anj Vida d ^f """"^ ' "'O "'"' gossa itself, or!. HuescI "'''°' ''""" '» ^ara- I resolved to go firs, to the doctor, and hurried to the 258 SARITA, THE CARLIST m m Calle Valencia. If Sarita had left Madrid, I guessed it would have been by the doctor's help, and I worked on that theory. I found Dr. Vedia in a condition of con- siderable nervous excitement. " It is very dangerous to come here, senor," he said, directly. " It is not a time to think of personal considerations, doctor. You have had Senorita Castelar here, and I am anxio»s to know that she succeeded in getting the disguise she sought to leave the city." I deemed it best to appear to know everything, and I watched him like a lynx for any sign that my guess was right. The start he gave was very slight, but perceptible to eyes looking for it, and without waiting for his answer I made a further shot. " The railway to Saragossa is watched with Argus eyes by Quesada's men—you know that, of course— but I thought she might learn through you if the attempt to get away might be dared." " She told me you knew nothing of her journey," he said, completely off his guard in surprise. " That is immaterial," I replied, nodding my head, smiling, and waving the remark aside as a superfluity, seeing that I had already shown my knowledge. " I thought that either a peasant's or a nun's dress would be safest, and knew, of course, that she could get from you one or the other." It was notorious that disguises of the kind were frequently kept in the houses of the Carlist agents. "And she came to you because of all our houses in Madrid, yours will be the least sus- pected." " I don't understand you," he said then, cautiously. " Nor is it necessary," I returned, warmly, with an air of offended authority. " It is your part, senor, to UNEXPECTED MEETING 259 comply with the requests laid upon you, not to question their wisdom or expediency." My sternly-uttered in- solent bluff succeeded where anything else might well have failed. "I did all that lay in my power," he replied, almost apologetically. " AH I want to know is that she got away. So much depends upon her mission that I came for the news at first hand. Will she get through to Daroca— you know the movement there ?" "I knew nothing of it until I read the news this mornmg, which the senorita confirmed. I have every hope she will get through. Heaven send she may be m time." ' " So we all pray to-day," I answered, mysteriously • for I djd not in the least know what news he meant and dared not question him. I had the news I wanted however, and was turning to leave when he stopoed me. *^*^ "I ought to tell you, I think, that she warned me particularly against you." " She was quite right, but she knows no more than you, senor. These are troubled times ; " and having given him this conundrum to chew at leisure, I added • "I am glad to tell you the trouble will pass your house untouched," and then left him, congratulating myself that I had completely mystified him and had much im- pressed him with my importance as a Carlist emissary. The next problem was how to get out of the city and follow Sarita to Daroca. As I had said to Dr. Vedia, the railways were infested w'th police, and watched closely. In all probability every applicant for a ticket would be under observation, and would have to give a f'U 260 SARITA, THE CARLIST sufficient reason for his journey as well as a good ac- count of himself ; and not only had I no papers of any kind, but I must almost inevitably be the object of embarrassing police solicitude. As I neared the station, therefore, I entered a res- taurant, and calling for some wine, told the waiter to bring me a time-table and a newspaper. A glance at the paper showed me it was full of the Carlist troubles. There was a short official account of the young King's adventure and a dozen unofficial ones, while from all parts of the country were scores of telegrams speaking of Carlfet outbreaks, actual and anticipated. Among these was one that arrested my attention instantly. The Carlist movement was described as being in chief force along the eastern littoral, from Alicante to the north of Barcelona ; and spreading over the whole of Catalonia and Aragon ; while Huesca, Saragossa and Daroca were referred to as so many central danger spots inland. The message from Saragossa contained the follow- ing : " Telegrams from Daroca suggest that that secluded place, being so difficult of access, has been used as a kind of headquarters for a strong and active Carlist body ; the proximity to the mountains having rendered it especially liked by those bu>^ds of wild and lawless mountaineers who are known f o be deeply embroiled in the present disturbances. The government agents here (Saragossa) have learnt that a man known as Solano, believed to be one of the most reckless and venture- some of the Carlist propagandists, came here lately from Daroca. He narrowly escaped capture, and in the room he had occupied were found a quantity of com- UNEXPECTED MEETING 261 promising documents, such as addresses to the people and stamped brevets of appointments in a Castilian rifle brigade. A quantity of arms and ammunition were also discovered through the papers he left when he fled. The situation here is decidedly serious. A conflict has occurred between here and Huesca, in which blood was shed, and the military beaten by the superior numbers of the Carlists. The authorities have now closed all the known Carlist clubs, have arrested a number of the leaders and have placed many others under close police and military surveillance. There is every fear of an outbreak." The news might well make me grave. It was into this hornets' nest I had to follow Sarita, and in followinir her had to take the double risk of danger from both sides. If the police agents identified me, I should be clapped into gaol by them as the dangerous revolutionary, Ferdinand Carbonnell ; while the Carlists might veri probably hold me for a spy and a traitor, the proper mark for either bullet or dagger. But go to Saragossa and on to Daroca, aye, and on to the end of the world, I would, if necessary, and if I could get there, in search of Sarita ; and, putting down the paper, I picked up the railway guide to find the route and the train time. Then came a very pertinent and unpleasant reminder of the difficulties ahead of me. Chancing to glance into tne street, I saw three men in earnest conversation close to the door, and recognised two of them ; Senor Rubio, the official who had been at Quesada's house the night before, and the man who had come in search of me to the Hotel de I'Opera. The third was a stranger Ul •s|j MKaoCOTY MSOUITION TiST CHAIT (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART t4o. 2) /1PPLIED IIS/HGE l i 1653 East Main Slrttt Rochy»t«r, Nm York U609 USA (716) 482 - OJOO - Phon. (7t6) 288 - 5989 - Fox Inc :j* \ I »i 262 SARITA, THE CARLIST They stood for two or three minutes talking earnestly, and when they parted, the two I knew went together hurriedly toward the railway. I sauntered to the door and watched them enter the station, after exchanging a word with one or two men standing about in front of the building. How could I hope to get away unrecognised, was my perplexed thought as I returned to my table. These men knew me personally, and had spoken to me ; one of them had my photograph, and I did not doubt that it had been reproduced by the hundred and distributed among the police spies. Quesada was not the man to do things by halves, and this Rubio was no doubt both a willing and clever agent. Still, the attempt must be made, and if they laid hold of me I must rely on the Embassy or the palace to procure my liberty; and I turned up Daroca in the guide. It was a beast of a place to get at and there was no train for some hours. It was the terminus of a loop-line some forty odd miles south of Saragossa, and could only be reached by going to that place first. It seemed to be a sort of cul-de-sac with the mountains all about it— just the place of all others in the country that would be most difficult to reach, and having been reached, probably a hundred times worse to leave. As I realised the inaccessibility of the spot, and the proportionate increase in my diffi- culties and risks, my irritation and chagrin found vent in a curse which paradoxically proved most provi- dential. " Damn the place," I exclaimed aloud, heartily, as I tossed the book on the table. " That's just the sweetest word I've heard to^ pit. but if you are going perh ' , ' ° '"'^ " ^^^"'« und^talcmg^ mind "I^'-n^^^^^^^^^^ ^hatisitp., enough to bother 7ou and '"'"P^^^-^hey aren't big and he .ave me^pa^tJ^uTaiT rh^hr ^^^"^ -^•" wouldn't take me an hour and vA ''^"''^- " ^^ to you, and so would my «;« '^ ^' ""^'""^ ^^^'^^d obnge';::: Mrnur -ryrrr' ^-^ ^'" ^<^ '-^ - with the samples." ^ " ^'"'"^ ^^^ ^an trust me Oliry^T^ldZ^/^^^^^^^^^ ^'^-^ - 0-. Mr. the samples are of no gr^^ .?.^^ V^' ^^^'^«' caution made me smile ' "^ '*''" excellent ( I ' n '66 SARITA. THE CARLISl J',' T' "■"" ^""^ "'"■ ">=">. ^"yl""- i and if vou are a^k J » /^ "rn if ^-ou can, and if any question neLas thi" ^'^y^""" «-" "ame and the iL bus sTd^/tLX";- 'ifTH\^"' ^°" ""^^ - - <.«d:f:d'a":i„r"°"^ look, a knowing t„is. of .he I twig. I'll soon have a ticket " Ha c^j^ « j off brisklv w« ™ \ "t-Ket, ne said, and went all S ^"r " '°°° ^^^^ ^'th the ticket. "Ifs po.iJoruflacXtdrr''''"' ■=•■'' """« «■' dueaTj^^ """ '"""'^'^- J"^' b^f^'-e the train was aue out we went together anrf t t«.,f , withoutanydifficultyat all TtL ' ■ *= "°« '"^J' indeed .haf I was d^e^'.^ L^h aT Tca^Tr cautions • hilt T v>„A , s • «*i. lu/ careiui pre- bcforr:; L rave.MtTo: " "' "f "' **'" «*vc lea tar. Not once only but half UNEXPECTED MEETING ,a; a dozen times I had to »k H""", representing ,h. "i "f ' !« Mr. David Ross & Catter. *'"' ''w «™ of Messrs. jour^Iy""'we made'a'stoii; '""1°« '"■='""'» of the «a.ionson,ethir.y;il4'°Pf!^ °f«n,e minutes at a -d .here I made^het,°l ""*'!""''• G-dalajara! Poi'ce agent Rubio was trave^n ^"^""'^y that the I caught sight of him as h,"*^ ''^ "" ""e train, platform scanning ZL """' «"""« along the fr-stmyheadoftonheT''" """^ ''-"/• I an'i kept i. „„, nntifwe sta^^^" "'""'"'• "-''ore J, bnt'l dl« Se^h?,"";::" ""^"'^ ""«"'« of the station and again steam^ ^ ""■■' «'" "^I'ar ■» ".y head and resu^" J ^^l"""-. »"" I drew the fresh passengers who had el h" T"' '<""t at come fellow-passengers astLl ''^^ ^"''^ ^« ""wel- «Py in Spain could have been '"''' '""'^'^^ P^^'ce They were two of the m^n'f -atched the young kL/o" r ^'°^^ '^"^^ ^ ''-^^ ;asthe man I ha3 ridden dotn'^'T^"^ ^^>^- One ""conscious on the road and thr.r^* '''''' ^"°^J^-d come running up at the lasf t "" ^"^ ""' ^^^ ^^d '^^d borrowed for the y:4"Krn;rut/'"^ horse I (-ij 11 fr ^««SARITA. THECARLIS' ~"ld tell wha, wouW b. ^h 1 ""='' ■"«°«"->'. « ">»«. .„ travel .olt^irrJ'' ^'O*" o«r , -r«'4^'e:r.';i;!rtr''^"''-.-'--.a, -ask had kept Ij ,„„, ^ i ™? v' "" ""»" «"=« ■»'■ Very soon thdH„7e "•'""' l*"' """ "« '"<"- '"Cerar?'^'^"-'"- '"'"^ and I set .o woSt^oVsfder Xt "'T " """-« -• mcdent to good accoant 1h ! "^ '"''""'' '""> «>e 'oy he p„4„ I ha" •„" v":^ ■"^' "'« <" '"e two a,.„ P-a.iny ^rparrorCaS'leid'T ';°'" '^ ■"« <" «"« to be among the l« , j! ''"'. ^'"" '"O were none but picked men wo!!h t I °' "" <=»"«•> ; for a task a, Theirs o" he 11 !f """" """ "<"'" »"ch «id not k„o» „e a'd a ^Lrd' '^^ " '"^ <="" «>«y "■em or to anyon^ no more f 2"" ^"''■'""«" "as to not declare myself to thZ i„ ?./ "*""' ""')' """■'d I 'ken, would L suffidenT To" ""'' That I knew "Wle the interchange of f.. "'"' """» S^'atly; convince them of Z^^"'^"" """■"' P"'"^ J' -an easy gness that Ihey were on their way UNEXPECTED MEETING ,e, their obiert ,« • Madrid, jn all « i. . * taken c " *^°'"« there was th Probability taken Santa in the same diW ^ ^""^ ^^ich had pre-arranged that the leal' T .^'^''^^ '^ "ad bee„ J^« «vent of the abduction , °"'^ «^^^'^«'- there I„ '-ensomesum.ons wh^ J:,^^^^^^ or therHa'," A" these thoughts anH /u '^*' ^'as known ac.,„d j,.„^ »">,„, Io.,i„"f„''f°« ,»■■"> '"e bits : "f «« «o toke the risk. * " ' "^ko'-book. And "j"o h„„„„ :;:' «'"8"'yand nodded with a laugj i ra not oflfering to sell J. f od lace. I should^hinf tC ^"' ^"^°"- ^an tell ll'- King's ransom /"and I i if ^" °^ ^ ^^'nd-^fi the eyes. Jt y,^- ' *"^ ^ looked him straicrh* wanfr»^ *u ^ * somewhat h,,- ^'^aight m oTthA '™ ^^^'^ *«> '«ok will at ^"""f "°ve, but I Of the Kmg in their minds '!, "^'^^ ^^e thought ^"•te positive that the^did „' ^l^ '° '^^' ^ could be Thank you, I don't want ^'^ ^^^s- ii 270 SARITA. THE CARLJi returned, and laughed pleasantly; but as the ended, I looked again at him meaningly ; and thei prise and question showed on his face. ''Do you travel in this ?" he asked, sharply. Yes, my name's Hunter, David Hunter, of the 1 lace firm of Ross an ' Catter, of London. Here'l card; 'and I handed him one; I said this for benefit of the rest of the people in the carriage were hsten.ng. " If you care about such things! I find you something of interest." "I don't, thank you, Senor Hunter. Odd tim< such business, I should think," and he returned "Depends on the business, of course," said I « of course on the man. I'm going to Daroca ; a'nd pect to do a good stroke there," and while I was sp ing, I wrote on the back of the card : "Counting Renegades lovers of Satan. By the Grace of Go and covenng .t with a piece of lace, I hande. toh.m agam. "Now. there's something you ^ care to see. ' The start he gave caused him to let his cigarette i ror::^o\ZT' ^^^^^ '° ™ ^^ ^^ w^spe " By the Grace of God," and when he sat up his f t'ldtwordft" '" ^"''" "^''^--'- He m tered a word to h,s companion and passed him the ca He m his turn was scarcely less excited. "It's quite a unique pattern. Very rare • " J sai and when he returned me the lace and card, i scribbl hurriedly my name, "Ferdinand Carbonnell;" and they read it our eyes met. " You are right, senor. We have never seen anythi, ILIST ts the lau^h ind then sur- ply. of the great Here's my his for the irriage who lings, I can Id time for ^turned the lid I, "and 1 ; and ex- was speak- ounting all of God ; " handed it you might arette fall, whispered ip his face He mut- 1 the card. I said ; scribbled " and as UNEXPECTED MEETING ,;, Pi«c.^ and fl„„, it „« o"!' "f " '"'" ' *""">"-i All had gone well «« *- "•«. into two .U-'ch al i« .T !hV ■""" ""'" «" PeriL """' " tl>' very moment of 1 i ft anything 1 n li. CHAPTER XXIII NEWS or 8ARITA tination and plan, t l^"^""**'" ^^eir d that they were goin^ to dL "L "°' ""*='» «»«' 'owed enough time for thf.' *"'' ''*''"' ' ^^^ have due eifect, Tbe'L to tX? ' '*' ""'^^ "»e» with chance afnuaintal. '" '^' '"'"*' *«"« ° meaning of my wordsbX*?"""' ,'°''*""« ^^e „ " I ""PPose^on^tlemL •" °' ^"''""^ ^'»*"«r »yse.f, and goi;;g ^!ZTz;z::ofv^^^ '•- - •'We are newspaper corral / ^'"^^^"'"^ ' " the.Puebla/andmrnareTSrr'- ' '"'P'"" the elder of the two J!thTs i^ t f' ""°'''" '"'P''' .cracked on the highway .TS ^^''''°''«^ head I ha. « of the ' Correo.' ^ We L -^ ' ^'"°'' ^"^''^ outbreak. We are gohrtfn *^ "^ '''°"' *'''' ^arhs fave me a si^iiican?g,U"e ;„T^h'.^°""^'" ^^ tone, "But we shall rTe i^ o'^^*''^ '" * 'o^« quicker." "^'^ ^"^om Calatayud ; much "Of course," i as^enf-^ * • geographical UmZZuZ'7 '° ""' '"'' """'^ ■»"»ing. J „„„ „ot*ho^f *„"'"« "> """"Stand hi. -«mg ,ha. „y ci,arac,„lr,rr„', "T'" " Poi-t. scout who would be pres^Lrf , t * ''"<' "" «yi"« 7 'Oink, perhaps, vS^yt ""^"^ '" "^'' """g^ i ... NEWS OF SARITA ^n Daroca gomething can still be done I am »h. , going there." •*"' therefore, "Good," said both. "You newspaper ire^ ll "'^ °' indifference, things." ^ ««tlemen generally know these "From our point of view you mav call if - • perhaps ; seeing that we are n„u a •*"°"*' as Daroca Th. , *•. • °'^«'«'^e<' to »uch a place earnest" '' *"*'°"''" '°° -« pretty much in -wt\re^tationTerthe1 ''^'"f: «^ ^''^ -^^ ' I think his nar is V *^''**' P^"" *««"»' R"bio, Kooio in this train, ia he > » ...i • j _ " Wc roust ~, hold of hi r • "''"""*'' '^''«"'- ."rpriseCndsoLertinJ.;" ■""• ""' """»"y paper -ork , a.1e.s. soli sj.t"'^.'"" »' — r«d this as a caS thai RubTr ""'"' '"""«'■ •" 'I dill I i i !^5 I 274 SARITA, THE CARLIS' V tickets were examined again ; we were once m( questioned, and the two Carlists produced credent, from their supposed newspapers, which proved su ciently satisfactory. But when the matter had j. ended and the official was closing the carriage do an incident occurred that gave me a passing twinge anxiety. The police agent, Rubio, passed the carriai and a quick little start as his keen gaze flashed throu the carriage showed me that he had recognised me Rubio has seen and recognised me," I whisper, hurriedly to my companions, in a sharp authoritati manner. « He may arrest me. In that case do noth in but go on to Daroca, and make it your chief charge 1 find and protect, with your lives if need be, the Senori, Santa Castelar. I can get out of Rubio's clutches agai quite safely." * "They shan't take you," said Cabrera, with grii earnestness. * " You will do nothing to prevent it. I can protec myself, and opening my sample case, I began fingerin the samples again while I waited during three minute of as anxious suspense as I have ever endured The to my intense relief the tr-'n started, and I breathe, freely. It was moving along the platform when a youni man, protesting excitedly that he must go, opened th( door, jumped in and sank breathless in the corner seat while the porter, swearing generously, ran alongsid( and fastened the door after him. ^^ "That was a near thing, wasn't it ? " he said to me Wonder if they got my luggage in ; " and putting his head out, shouted vociferously to those on the platform to throw his bags into the luggage break. " Good " he exclaimed, as he sat down again. "They can do NEWS OF SARITA ,75 and b.ga„ ,0 ctat "*"""■ "' ""'O "« ">' - "«!.,. .h™u,h .h:'uc:"btt raU' TZ; i '*« "■ long account Of himself t^ll, u /"/^P^^ he gave a and then he gradS Id .?' ''"•'' "ttle attention, and professed a roH^H 1 .' <=°nversation to Carlism trade," I answered and ^' '^""^ ^'*" ^^^ ^^^ entries in a nreToo'.rs^frre"fhe° '"^'^ ^^'^'^ He would not be ni,f nff k ^ conversation. miles in silence Th^^ L u travelled a number of where I was going, J,l bus"Li Sid <.„„. aT/. ""' You have been very anxious to make us talk wifK you, senor ; may I ask why ? " he said! ' ''"' Merely because I hate travelling in silence." •!7 i ! !t ^76 SARITA, THE CARLIS said, "Kindly tell us hff '"'" '''■"'«^''' '" *he i ' '^•na'y leu us the nature of that interest > •• ,, Mere sympathy with them of course T .^ they re be.ng very hardly dealt with. That 's all " ♦' Are you one of them ? " • ' nat s all. " Oh no, certainly not." ;; Perhaps you know s;me of them?" Wo, I don't th nk I do " Th.. spoken, but I noticed that a shadownr^^'' """' ''^^ show on his face. ^^ °^ ^"^'^^'^ ^^8^^ ''By sight, perhaps?" "No. No, not even by si?hL" Th- ♦^ Jng less firm. ^ ^ ^"® '*''»e ^^ gro " What did you say you were ? " -sat^C^rSrj::::^"'''--^ .now^roTaruryr^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^^ must know why. My frienrandTare ofT'''"' police; and our mission is in search ^f r ''"" You are one ; and we are «" out trying to help me "'^ ' th« done, scnor, with. NEWS OF SARITA .77 " It's not mv affair t^ • , I .n.w«d. !„?;« ]^:;-z tz °" ^"""•" quieting surprise °*^ * ™ost dis- of the head. « Who is he ? " w J ^\'"*'' ^ ''^«^ i^^k toward me holding his rtLveTt r^ad"" '^'' *"™^^ won't answer, we'll find the l\ ?''• "^^3^" I'eve you're both Carlistspic It " ' ^°"- ' *'^- done that for the moment T m. 1 *° naturally was really suspected Bu, Twas^t" T' '''''''' ' While Garcia threatened him with .. ' °"^ "^ ^°"bt- searched him thoroughly '^e revolver, Cabrera Ca^^HJ^^rlir ::t:^^ - - only a kn:i;:uT'^^^^^"*'" '^^^ *^« -P'y. "But I don't here to spy on him f vo.^^^ ^^^'^ °" ^O"' You're he. Vou^n" t^X"c:pr "all t^"^^'' '''^ '"^ you, you selfish dog ? " ^ * *" *° yo"«elf, do Enl^s w'"^"' ^^^'°""^"' -^ P-tends to be an was the answer sullenly spoke °^^ '''^"" -^'^ the fear for his life was pTsi"' nH "' '^^'^'"^ '^'' •»inor one of losing LTmpo^rt", "^'"^ '^^^^ credit of the captur^ '"Portant prisoner and the " Good, then we'll see to him a. f "'"• -^s for you, you're a n If < II »78 SARITA. THE CARLIS -. Should have icnow/^ l'^'.^^;;? "';«' »-'' ■nnst have a lesson mvfrLrt « '^ f °°*"'- ^ why didn't vouarr«?k-. "'"'° '=""' 'h" ■» OrMhethTe'Sn^Xtrr"""'"'"'''' trick ? " ^ "® '° ^^o^**" some Carl tt."rf;a:" riur^'^'j ^' "■« '«' «>«„„, a, -. ..<".. He ::ixrat 'ry/„/*r r- These are Senor r»kj«» 'ficnas in the trai «*»c oenor Kubio s own order« vr^ • • .ra,„ and has wired for help .o ^faL"„d? " "" " yc'^-C 'crj:rf°'"hV """.'i' "P<°« now, n< darted on him aid ld\ '°"' V'""'' =""' ""y !«" shall be in (Sitav J •„,/"" "" ■"""'' ""^ '«'• " * ...™ and puchtrt'oVt ::::r:T c "• r silence longest " And r, . ,°°7 ^^^dmenkeei under the seat, .e need n„Xrer.s'r 'Z His^drsTr:— r;:^^^^^^^^^^^ " I won-t sax a word of wha'hTs passed r' "^"''- my soul I won't." Passed. I swear on w^otis otVoVGa^rca'd" ""r^ '^''"^^ was nndonbtedly strong ^ = '""^ "" "«"««« NEWS OF SARITA .79 ^'>'^'t^:i:^%:z:[Tr "■« - -« « ^s "ith equal relactancc C T """P""'™ Save way bonds were tightened hew '"»»"' P'^«. to put me away where h/p,?"'^''* '" '"'^'"'" hi- and inquiries even from !h!r^ "''■*^''' "" «"<' ""». tive. ""^ "■= palace might prove abor- questio! tlZtJrrjZ 'T "■"«'"=• "^ fe and I e,p,aiLd rt"apid,; •* °"'^ "■"' <" "^ ""ns, •■IthinltIhavei.,Msaid. « Caia.ayud is an out- ■'■■4 1 t ^SoSARITA, THECARLISI easier folk to foo,. Z^Z :lo: ^1^'''^'^'' suspicion of his intentions, a^^d wiU sLnK ^^ ' " to have the men at the c* P'> '^^^e wire - We'll leave the triil as t 1" '°r ^'^ '^'^ '"^^-"'on. the station, therefore 'Lv ''°"^" ^^^""''^ «"'«""! interfere with us le'ln^av '7 """'"P' '^ "^^^ t< of yours-that I'm ^ ^ '"'°'^^'" '^^"^ of this farc( poLafte me^Ph "''^'^ ^-r\\st^n^ you're th aschancrserves and "eTh""'' '^"^tle things throug "They'll be wakinf f '"' ^' ^"''"^'^ ^' ^^" be-' Cabreraf reader ""/esU'i? f "'^ ^°'"^^°'^'" ^'^ well at the back of th^ °' ^°'-*""ately we're through a cuttmg fus be '""' T ^ '''"^'^ ^ <^"^ve serve us well and T^ ?'^ ^^^ ''*''°° that will from the top of i wTcl T'' ''' '^""^^^^ ^-^^ of the cutting and b« Vtr " °"'' ^^^^ "P ^^e side pulls up." ^' ^ ^' ''"'^■^^y '''«'•« before the train hillSeX^tllirr'^^^-^'^^^-^tokeep have a keener appt^ P"tm Garcia, who seemed to sterner comrade '''°''""" ^^an his really "We're close there nnw " i,« jj . final look a. our priLe.^'o .ee ThaA ' '"'' ^""« " t.ed and gagged w- thr '? I- "^^ ^""•"J' ™de„ad',S,,;;Ve'crr'iagr ""'" "" "^ '"' mck, too, for the tram slowed down NEWS OF SARITA .8, on approaching the curve sn th,* 'eave it quite safel" r T . ^' ''^ "^^'^ «*>'« to carry us. ^ '^^' *^ O""- ^egs would Of a couple of soldiers who were oCr , '^ '°P " They'll want you at the ctatmn »» u half a trainfal of these c„4^d r ■ ! '^"'- ■^'««'- R«bio, from the caoUal f "'^,'^"'««. »"^«»k their hea with their own guns." growled Cabrera ; and x,\ moment we were out of sight of the men we set was aninn /k' ""^"'^ ''' ''''' '° «"^ Worses. Th to he Jm ' u""' ""^ companions were well kno« to the old man who came out to meet them. A whit haired exceptionally dark-skinned, and most pTctu esque-looking old fellow, who greeted theTwo nuietl but cordially and looked suspiciously at me '""'^ "Who's this .-"he asked. thrl2rid'"°? """"^r^ «^""' ^^° «^«^ <^'-o^sed you threshold, Tomaso," answered Cabrera. "Take of your hat to him; and if his name were whispered h We" m?s? r\': '^^'y ^° ^- yo- head to So cteTourh^e^'s^ ^°"^"'^- ^^^ ^°^-- an J'JJ ';''* ^'"u^ "^'"'^ ^'^ '^^^ ^nd bowed his head and the long white locks shone in the mellow Tight of the now dying sun. To act the part which Cabrli had thus assigned to me, I returned the bow and in a quick, imperious tone, said : ' '" * thr J*"*" ^.V^' ""^ ^°°'' "^^^^^^^ 'he horses, with all the dispatch you can show f««„ «.- . danger.'' *"" °"""'^^ "^X spell defl^enllt't'S T ''"'"' "P°" '"^'" ^^ ^^'-ne^. Z! u ^' ^' '"'"'"S^' S^^e a sharp order to a waU I?:in rn""^- ." ^°" ^'' '^^^ -- whUe you wait. It will be but a minute " We entered the house, and food and wine being laid out m readiness, we ate and drank hastily; and the NEWS OF SARITA ,83 "Is the road ciwr, Tonuso > ■• asked r.h forward with „,e senoriu son,. ?„ I '*""'•"» "«= "raced them to ride wUh thT " '"'"" =«"• ' '"- «- anything .uspictus d„ri„'' rV'"' '"" " ">«^ ■"il^s, one of them is to hid „lh .'h " """•''"' <" other return and warn yo„ a/, .' """""'^ '"" "« and among our own peoDl e f . ^°'' "'" '" »'«• ontU iourney, and K'us u^ss":: ^riT'" t";™": ■:arp:::.^ """"- "^-" -« -ru- " The senoriu ? " I askprf „.■ i ■ words. "°''' Pncking „p my „„ at his hisoidhfadagai: ;f.raT„k%"er "• '^''^ his rugged features. ^ enthusiasm on I waited for no more. "Forward, gentlemen." I crieH un ahead of us." ' "^^' G""*** work lies few mTnut« atXTnntf ?• ^' ''' ^^^^ ^ut a Hind us signs"o?r;trntth;^ ^^^ ^- station were to be discerned ^'I'-ection of the ursVr;orTrgtr''trir^ ■"■■"'•• ^-- work that lay ahead nor fh. \ ^"''^P^^' "O'" the close companions^ wTth the'. "^^^-^^'^ ^^om this desperate characte "^I had had 7°,. ''''■'"''' °' "H°- was but four hours ahead of i '''^'"""- ^^^^^ latest in Daroca """'^"^ ^« «h°"'d meet at III; •' CHAPTER XXIV A CHECK WE were all three well mounted, and we n our horses along at •» good pace, quick, soon into a smart gallop, until we felt th; nslcs of pursuit from Rubio's men or the soldiery over, and then we slackened and took matters :Zll' ^'. \'' ''' ^"^ '-"^^ -ilesTo :"er a good deal of the road was rough and hilly enoug make us desirous to save our horses as much as^ But the slower pace gave the greater opportuniti conversation, and in this I knew there must be a tarn amount of risk that something might be cer V To f Tr ' --P-'-^* doubt! of my cerity. So far they nad an absolute conviction th- was heart and soul with themfn the cause that I w' tITk hV ^^^"^^«'-d one to whom they" nted l" df ^ough-and-ready obedience which a re nised leader might rightly demand. from tl?nn?' ""u ''"■' '"«^^«^"^ ^°«^ther in escap from the police there was little chance of their mak, any compromising discoveries about me iut ev me fat to"f^:' T ""^ '° ^-°- was Vlso bri:; me face to face with a very different position in whi every direction. There were a thousand things I shou ^ I. A CHECK 285 be expected to know, and anv -umh. i J ought to be able to recLni. w' ''^ P'°P'« ^^om of them might brU the T ' '''"'" '" ^^^ °"« cion of trefchery upon ;f T ^'^'f''^^' o( suspi. m -uld expose meTnsTantlytoTe '"^''" ' "^^ death. »«nijy to the immment peril of 4trgh:ri-r;.uC^ - -" could see no alternative exS tol " "'°"«'''- ^"» ' blind chance and just do what '°J*'"' "'"^^'^'"« *<> as each crisis arosi. Saritl wL «r? '"'*'' •'"««'^»' in danger ; and to Sarita I wou.H '^'"^' "^ ' '^"«^. what it might, and come from ettefr'' ''* P"" ^« or Carlists. " *""*''^ Government men »M^ ^^'"^ "There is danger ahead, senor " cri*.H r • ./r'* fi* n r: f- I i t ' ! ^88SARITA. THE CARLIJ twenty. * ^ ®' ^^°"t eighteei a number of mo„„ Ld TlH '""'"• '"" *" '««' P^^ believed tha.Tr.he tav t-^ ."""" *'>^'- -« parties of them pll' "" ""'" """'= ">« «ve Oozen may bejn ea^h."""' '*"' " '=" -'<«-. "' sta'iiX?"^ """"^ '"' "'''• "■• "'« '"ey mere and Tz Z:x'::^ r .'r '"^' '-'"" -■ question them." ^'^^ P^^^^"' fo'k an " And then ? " " I saw I could not brino- th^ senor. and thought he best tt"'^ '"'° '^' '^^' her to a safe hiLg-ptce Id Ih"^ '°-1° "'' '° ''^' grandfather told me » '" ''"^^ ^^^^' ^^ •") The news set me thinkinff fast Tf , from the Carlist point of vLw but it n "^^/ '"°"^" a perfect Godsend to me H'hn m ^''°'""'^ '^P''^^^ she could get to DarorT" J '"^ ^^'^'^ ^^^^^ before friends. ^ ''°'" ""^ J°'" ^^e rest of her CarJist ;;VVher i h,,j,j„^.pj^^^^..^ It nes about a league from the main ^o'd. senor. rJ A CHECK 289 "Very shrewd.;^LVe T.^S/r^r''^^' "And very cleverly ac^ed'r ^'■"' ''""''''y- added. "Canyoubriiurbva ir ':' "'^ '^^'" ' and afterwards guide uf "to^.nVttn': » " ^''^ ^°"-' vigilance. I can try " '''"''' "^°" ^'^^ «°^diers' "J^:^:;^Xi,rSr^---- -Santa. inpIaces-andVetust/o '-'T' '"°""^^'" ^"-ack it is the only o^e '^^sati LTh""^^ '"' ^'°^'>' ' but t'^e foot of ^he m::LT,['',^,Z T'' '''' '^ gate, and led us at a smart .aHoo h ' ?f "' ^ '°^ centaur, and his horse seemTd asT. ,'° "^ "'^^ ''"^^^ across two or three bIZT^ ^'''^^'^ ^^ '>e «^as- side of some Tneyl^t Zt"T' "^ ''^ '^'^ ^^^ ^"c shadows were as dafk as ni.ht/r°'' "'^^''^ ^^e indistinguishable. ^ '' ^"^ ^''^ P^'^ absolutely " This is ominous news, Cabrera " r coj^ .. pace slackened. ' ^ ^^'^' ^hen the "About the worst it couIH u„ >• u ily. ''^"''^ b^' he answered, gloom- I>aroca, 'l. Jat^rr/^nT: t" '"'"^ -""'' J« going ,0 strike, and strike hard 1,' "'■■ ^''^^ If the headquarters in Darnl "^ ^"y >"'"t- there for the cause >" "'' '"'"'' ■">" '"Pe « "We cannot tell vet Tf ,»,„ yet. It may not be so bad as that. !l 11 ^90 SARITA, THE CARLI I'eTZ LXr- °^ "•^'^--nes, and .us< «ustget into Daroca before ,t"-'l' ''"''"'j^- oider, let the soldiers swarm wh "?^' ' '"""^ '^ " My intention is thfr ^ ^^ *^'^ P'"^««" join the senor ta Ind 1 ;:r ^° '° ''"'^ ^^'^-'"^'^ he with her, or send fn on the u"^" " ^'^'^ '°'- ^''^ * to us." " °" ^'^^ chance o^ help getting ar^fi'^grti'nglgirnlt'r " ^"°^''^^' ' ^^^ ^^e F. best if no betfe tha"' th"" ' '"' "'^" *^^''^ -' worse than the bis'" t ""T.' '"' '''' ^^^^^ n>ore despondent as ^.tV'^''^' ^""^^'"^ ^^^e a Th.isev:rthel;^rLXs^----e^ '^now?r„'sT4''^Caltrth^'^''^ ^"^ ^ -- ^ Quesada. It is h s brl^TT ' """" °^ ^ebasti; ingthedestruc:io:%'Te::i:°M^^^'^^^^'-"^'- ' Then why wasn't he dealt with ? a *u arms strong to strike, no blades shlrn ton'' """ ' cunning to find the niea« ^ ^° P'^*""* "o w Had I had my „av th! 7 * '„ "''' "■= '" ™«rds -ped , This^cZ-; iz!J:zT r ""'' - ^"d sickly sentiment. Wha" is hU r, "" ''"' '""^ <"• of any one of them m„r, ,1 1'°' "' Q-'^da's of us .' My arm, lye and mv t" .'"" "' "" ■""»'=' had for the ask nJ As i^ ' °°' ""'"'' ^'" "een beas, of revolutb^- „1th a sHt '"" ' ""'' "" """ senorita here, and yo::l:j^2^l'r^J T'" ^"^ force .e .ere afraid to nse is S^ZLT^Z'^^l ■■{ A CHECK ,„ "What sort of courage or wi, is tJ/l'"^.' /'""'>■• tongae when the hour to a« h ''^"'' "»''' "^ your thoughts about he ltorL'"Tl " ""^ =- hberty and her lif. ,„ *="""ta, who has risked her danger when "e f " aTtsT 'T "" "■'=""' "' "" your skin, ire is st II L ? „' ^° ''"'' '"<> ^"ve "••ro/;"rd'£"-^^^^^^^^^^ silence. '"That ^r""'lj'° "'^ '«'-<• '» « '" knocked the wi out of °u 'wha. ""'k^*"^ "- a iackass ,„ hra, in .heCe of^nVeV.' •• "' ""^ "" "' faneX't^L'trror- ' ^t ^ '°" -« ^-^ and, the Holy Saints help n.e t^d" """'^ "''' <'"--. have no answer. Senor , T,' V"' ^°"' «">« and J grumble again put a b"""^ ^°"'" '"«'«"«s ; and if serves n,e right' P"/" ''""" !" "y head and ni say i, ■ovely face, sS:..,Iekh;p while' 1%^'^^'" ""^ ^" I'm the better for my grow? " " ^"" "• ^"1 """ ::t x-^rhe^-' ^ad tr:i;\rr"- the doings in DaroL Id l '""" ^"^ '^^^'"d «f pect hin,_a„d find on" how Z« ° ""' """'" '"'- and return to Calvarro. IZ ht r! on ^^ ^°'"^ •""= You are a clever, farseeing lad /-and I gave him Ift t / M *■■ il II ^93 SARITA. THE CARLIS' is most urgent." P°«'b'y steal into the town ? on;?or;sf;e^7ro^r^r^' r ^^"^ ^^ -'^ ^^« have to make a wide cTrcuL ^^'?"° ^- ^^« «hot hills to the north through LT ,*'^^^^°"'^- ^^ ^1 I know the route hnf T . '''' ^''"'^ ^^^^^^ thet some hours [o ^^[tr" °" '°"^'^^' '' "^'^ ^^' ;; Still at the worst it could be done?" ^^ i^es, at the worst, senor." ceale1,"atc:vl:r"o^;;'::"'^ ^-' -'^ anyone He cor Ho:'wid\\re::^t^^p^;:^^^^^^^ -^-^^^p-^^ -po- how well those who I^fr. *k "" ^^^'""^ Parties, anc they would Z:XZl:ir ''' ^°""'^^- ^"' to act as guide • IndZlZ '"/"^'"^ anyone in Daroca selves might X aJ ^^^^"''''''^^^'^•^^^ ^hem- picion." ^ ' ^"^ ''P^'^ the place without sus- " Even in daylight ? " "Yes even in daylight, senor." herea"ndCre1"' "^ '''' '''' "° -^^-" between caLlator thTpiLi;'^"^^ ^' ^^-^- «-- as i^» P'ace and can answer that as well andXi^n:^t\J^-?^^-aste,Msaid, made a change in my plan ^ *"" ''^^' ^ ^ad out ^D:::^^^::;^^;;" possible to get into and should be done is this ^ZV"' ""'^ ^^^' ^ ^hink e'sth.s; Send one of the lads by the A CHECK 193 meet them by the Ion. ' *° "'"' ""= '"''" '»" ■» 'or .heTime ' ^^^ "" '""'^' O"- "•""quarter, pn:i.:^;;v;:rs^r"r,?.re:e;^:r"''r ^^ - into Darooa, the senorita won'^Z a^cT *;"':"« will .nsist on going herse7f nH '^. t Calvarro's, but >ha„ a little sufpris!d if li fi„i t 1' ' '''^" ''' ■"<>« we reach Calvar'o' s a. Lr- ° '''" ' «""« "''"' hurried Is lo™ Jthi i S^ ri^e" ""fh^:"'"*''" more open for a mile or two „o„ »nH ?^ "" ward at a sharp trot in single sL'Thfn '''"""' ""■ steep climb up the shoulder !,f It' ''^"" ^"°"«"' on the other side bo,h^„ , u° ""'""""° ^"<' ""■> and lead our ho^es >„. a.'ts s' "° ''^'"° '«''"''"" were within a miroVo^ur dlsttt""" ' "'' ""' « Instinctively then we rode in dead silen^« u • cover for every possible yard of the warAndr'7 'f 'ng some little distance ahead ^' '^' ''^^■ up'atrd'^o^rurTnJtr T ^^^^^'^' '^^' lead him right unde^T/.laTo: oVZe ^'^"^ ^ We followed his examnl^ ^nH ^ ^'"'^ ^'"^^s- back on foot. ^ ' "^ * '"'""'" ^^'^^ ^e came "Soldiers, on the road down there " h« , ^• pointing ahead of us " We hTvA ' ^'^'spered, must wait You mkv 1 ° '''■°" '^^ '"^^^ ^"d trained I ke the reTt Ld m/°"'.'"''^'' ''"'''' ^^ '^ h*. w- ' ^"*^ ^'" s'a"d ^or hours if nee.' be. We can creep forward and watch them." m i! ii' *94 SARITA. THE CARLIS' He and I went forward then and he u>i rs^z. """• -""- -"-. wVr /;„•; dir«.''ro°ad "t^.lT"" "/ ""' ""''' "« "»' "„ .1 n,aV.r. ;»"""•" ' ""'''>"«'= "'>o..n.a„yd„ y„ •■ There are seven horses, senor.-' on^.^ir4^^;:eL^r--sco.n -en ,:rhT rtt an^I ^"k' " ' ''''''' '^ ^^ 'h, other sde of he 'road wL" "'"^ °'^^ ^ ^^^^ ^ ''- the shadows o^a/rove'oftreerTr' °' ?'^ ^"^"^ then, and, hoIding^he^ho se * lilted"' '""°""'^' stood chatting together ' ^ ""^ ''^"''""^^ ^"^ No, senor; but we ought to know where thev'r. going. I can get close down to them if T u ^ may be able to hear their plans!"' "^ " ""''' ""^ " ^es, go, but for God's sake be car*»f.,i . ^ .• theirs may turn on what you do." ' ' ''^"'^ °'' Without a word he slipned awav fr«.« with the silence and adSesroVaTra^ed'tn;"^ scout he vanished, leaving me a prev to T " I watched the soldiersin th: r'oTi reltrrrjr- of suspense for any sign that they suspectld hit 1 ence ; but they gave none. The vo ces re^che^ ^''"' an indistinguishable murmur, broken bv .n *"" '" laugh and an oafh in . i ^ oroKen by an occasiona gn ana an oath m a louder tone. Now and then the A CHECK ,„ one or other of the Zu^tZfjl """" " '°'"' This suspense continSZ^yllT^"'"'- presently ,„„ of the soldiers IhoIInK""'"' ""^ turned, and were greeted wUh ! ""^ ^«)' '•^- comrades. "" "«"■ questions by their Then a new fear alarmed m- . .1, . sent up to where w. . *' "=°"" «0"ld be -edleyof .ho„rsr^h„r°T"'- "" » ""'"seel and of'^the PoSrJ.'^^ZLtTjV'' ^"'' ' -» ::r/o i^r;-:- li^- "--"^^^^^^^^^^ of the men were S'ed « 1 '"'"' '^"^ ""d »V consequencesto Sa a' . ' ''.r' '"■•' '" '"^- *« biy compromising HI tr/,.™"'" "" '""'"="'>■ Palace, I must be able .0 ^k tZ ^".''•"P from M,e aod if I were known to have ut.^ „!", *? """^ = •be soldiery i„ which lives we^l"?" '".' "«'" "'"■ would be gone. ^'' ")' ^°P' of help Moreover, my own feeling was on. „r aversion from shedding blood ?, "nutterable shed. Whatever excnfe ,h, V , ""'""'"'^ '' '° ••= 'heir own minds for "oTenw /hid"" ""'"" ""' '" one of them, exceot hv It \. "°"'- ' "^s not for Sarita's s'akeT and'fo'r me"*"' "' "^ «-»<'o-. rngrrfivr------^^^^^^ t Iff H i. '" -;1 ■ f ^96 SARITA, THE CARLIS of the two scouts, until I was tempted to go back to companions and at all hazards order a refreat and ^ TaHtr Had^'rr ^"k'"^ *° Calvarro-slrind of treachery and cowardice as well as folly Those mmutes of suspense were wellnich . . '"tensity to a death agony. ^'^^ '^"^' i-fi CHAPTER XXV AT CALVAHlto's 'T'HE tension of suspense was broken at le„«h t patch of L^on ^h "at m.,rd"uu" "Z """'"^ thesamemomenfa hand wis ,»..' ^ ' '°- °'""'" " •l;. Ud Andreas stood 7 i";" ^^d^ He""'""' "" ..lently as a shadow ont of the d'a rk" .s.. "" "™ " "Th:;rj:!^d"„:-trsi'o?.T!r;L''r''-«''- hoMitrjrhl^stlLTedTeT^^^^^^ .ho„,d cat^ ^St TT rMtd'trr business, and a sharp turn m the hillL . . '"' brought us nnder the coverTf a w^d ' „. '"' "«"' effective hiding-place ' ""■ «"' "* "" see^'ed'tsTare^set^^l^Sr "'" "" ""- they move. They were indeed ,tfH "° """^•^''^ perfectly trained animals and i.ha»" "'" ^"'' our safety that night ' ' '"'"'"« "= O""" yaJ^s no r. VU ""'"' °" '"'^ "=>■ »''"' ft" hundred I'J i < m li 298 SARITA, THE CARLIS every step, until it was impenetrable. We were 1 hundred yards from the entrance, when Andreas sto 80 suddenly that we ran one against the other confused muddle of men and horses. " There is a small clearing here on the right " he ma whisper '• If you leave your horses free they follow mine." And so it proved ; the intelligent ht knew h.s yo.ce, and went after him with a sagacity astonished and delighted me. " You will be safe h I thmk senor; and, with your permission, I will back and find out the soldiers' movements. Ther no nsk for me. But please do not touch the hon they will not be got to move without trouble unt return, and will stand like statues until I tell th< e\"eVw~;' '°^"^ *""' '" ^" ^^'' * "•" - andwittef '°'^"'''^""^''^^**'«*-^^°««» CaZra*' *'* '"' '° ^° '^ '''"^ ^°^ ""'' ""°^ ?" ««' ^^'^ Fight," I said, praying fervently there would be "Good. Knives, Garcia," he returned. And till then, silence," I ordered : and not anotl word was spoken. The stillness was absolute, and, in the circumstanc awe-msp.nng, and there was not a breath of air to s even a leaf. It was some minutes before our eyes J, sufficiently accustomed to the darkness to discern t moonhght beyond the wood, which gleamed dimly, mu reL P'i^f ""^''t" ' ''^''' ^*'''°"^'^ ^he thickly-p ant trees Suddenly the stillness was broken by a m" vo.ce laughing and oathing. as he called to a comTad ! j AT CALVARRO'S oy the corpse of St Peter »k- • 'ooking for nothing. ' ^o no f 'M" * ""^"*'''» ''««k. ^^"vesrsrih^^"^-^" "^^^ ^^- ''^ -hUe I roll a cigaret e. and wheni" "" ''''''' ^^^'^ ^o back and report." and we hea^d J' ""^'^'^ "' '^^'^ and light it. ^* ^^^"^^ »»"» strike a match "»■«. ,.a,h hi. f.e,'a. k. bC.e "i 1"' "'' "^""'"^ Po« 1. ° o'unaered about in tlie under- " Holy Saints. ^Zlll. ^"'"'^ "^^ '■■ght to the cursed place and thf'* ^"^P"^'^ '^^ «« one in it, and fire our guis and h '"'"'" ^* ^^ ^o'ne- would be a mighty blaze .nH ^'"^ "^ *''" ^''^e"- It our vigilance/'^nd ^e s' Ih''^ .'"'^''' «^' * ^*«P ^or unholy glee. '"^ '*^°""^^*=' '^"ghed and swore in "Hold your tongue, idiot" cm ... roughly. "Ifyouwanlto.rl' u \^ ^'' companion, ;ith me alonglhe path ere ""a^d V" ''' "°°' ^^^ t-n w h towards us'° °" ^°"^^-- knives, Garcia »» «,i,- . them both loosen the klfc ''''^^"' ^"^ ^ ^^It their girdles. The faint Hd "^ ''7''^ '°""^'^d in showed between us and th?"' °^ °"" °^ ^he men of crackling twig" cam '„^:"'°°" «^'^-"'«. and the sound s "-wigs cam. ominously nearer. ( ill fc ;■::»■»--* 300 SARITA. THE CARLISl "The blight of hell on the place," cried the san Jh?V"f *"'^i "''^ ' '^""^ «»' '»**^y plunging amor the .hrub., and the thud of a falling body. -What , the devil's name was that ? " His comrade laughed. "Going to swim through, Jos" »■■« »harp, "And no, J "Slvarrov. """•«''■"«'•'■» "^ >-- S.nri:^d„5:r"^^ Calvarro?. fa™ wa. " ' H •""""""" ^'"'V ">' Indifferen. ^^^inZlrtutZZl'^^Tr" T work did not reassure me ^"'"^ ""= i"fo™a.io„ .hat son,. 'JoVd Md ta^rpra^s Z'ZT" ^ad o.r„o„s si:„i«:ar ,?.,t rt;:"' "r *" '■- no. merely patrolling .he roads in search of me IL""" have watched the roads and bv-nathr tT ^'^ --re^orrrr."^^^^ ^«^.Uh. possible hid°;;Ltn'UZ%reV.: I I 1^ ■' J 30. SARITA, THE CARLIS' probable as ,0 be vTr„!,M ' "™"' '° "" ^» ' danger of arrest ; while to feaVe u n .h """ """ steal into Daroea would if the .» ? ""'"P' ' bring me into s.iM ,^ """ttempt were successfo the Cadts "htwo^irZ™"""' """ "' ""= '"'°<'» ' cover „„ f , "rhl^iiltlr^^^X"---- * and I found then that ,„ """""■" "«>«n>"ti as did also Cab"e a B„tT;,':',""l"= ^''""' """■ own ready, founZd on wha I ! " f " """ "' "'' « Tf «,»o ^ "^" said prev buslv side and 5:^:2^ "^, '''''''' ^" ^^ ^'^e^cltr, varro's? The house could be heL for .1'' "' ^"'■ can only get a handful of men to it t J°"^T^; '' ^^ these soldiers everywherr I l \ ^ '^°" ' ''"^^ biow had fallen at D^ro and J:trrto"", T '' ''' anything there. But we are iTiT f^ *° ^° and die, if need be like men K ' ^"' ^"^ "^" ^^^^^ «nd a iodging for'^' bl.ri^ n^T bodTt^i:' ^"'^^ whole body lodct-rJ in . i ^ ^" "^^^ "^X cursed Go/ernirci-os: tT: rl" ^^er:;"'" "■= -Ha^essagefr;:-— f:;rrs;:arX if AT CAr^VARRo'S i»nd rjl do it and be b .- . r ' ^Oj »he place, or finding it" .;''"';? ''' '""^^'^^'^ can find ;; Vour life would Jl-. ^^ • ^" °"^ °f i'-" I'il chance mv lif#. " u^ u ^g your pardon, senor' • llT' '°' '"P^'i^tly. .. j ■" Daroca who a e of ;;:'""= ?■•'- "' »=«. Pl-.y "mes rather fight than go on" LnTf' '""""' ' """'^'•"'l ■■>« and fooling the Zr, f ^?""'°"°Sand schem- Forthe Holy Vi g L.TsaVe fet ' """""""''^ --y. 'hmg like men. One go^H rin """? "' "' "" »<-">=■ now— "andheshr^^edhisMtn "' '"''■ ""'" a sneer : ". We might SclSn """"'^"^ and ended with Had I been one „ fhem „ '" ^' '^°'""™"' -"■" •"•a. I would have wefcom d ."^ ?• '"= "''" ^" i"^' not counsel it and give m7v„i r V " '""• ' '^<»"'' " No, not vet w ' " '°' "Sl-'ing. can, from Ju[:'howli:;rha';? "''.'■-^'"•. '' we " Aye, aye, wait wai, ',t *""'' '" """^a." >.avetimetVge..;er w ' Xr"'."" "'= -'"iers « can be shot like worn ou.S '" P"^'"°n. and "1== men,', growled CabreraZr,'""''"' ■" "^hting "a turned to grumble in J!' ^'°°""'^ • and he and Gar When we were qufte I'""''^' """'= ' ""e on. '"at lay indeed m'^^ ma el 1?"^^™'^ "'-« "ere approaching the farm hi! ?J^ co„cealed-and '"rough a dense ohve wood ^.''h^ '""ningly masked -ndergrowth and calledTo I'dreas.'"""* °°' "' "" >i 1 h i( 1 I;:- 1 K: 1 , '. 5 •:' 304 SARITA, THE CARLIS^ " Juan is here, senor," he said ; and the boy, soi two years younger than his brother and much resei bling him, came to me. " Tell the senor the news Daroca, Juan." "It is of the worst, senor. Soon after midday tl soldiers began to pour into the town from Saragos« and special train after special train came loaded wi them. They are everywhere ; every house in the tOM has been searched; and they tell me hundreds of prisoi ers have been hurried away by train to Saragoss Every road into the town is alive with soldiers an search parties are spreading out evervwhere in all d rections. The house of every suspected person is i the hands of the soldiers or the police ; and everywher I heard stories of arms, papers, and property whic have been seized." " We are too late," exclaimed Cabrera. " The onl chance will be to rally here, senor. It must be " " Where is the senorita ? " I asked the lad, unable t. restrain my anxiety any longer ; and I felt that th< eagerness in my voice was very patent. When h( told me, to my infinite relief, that she was in the house a fervent " God be thanked for that ! » burst from me and turning I found Cabrera's eyes fixed upon me searchingly. " So that's it," he growled, half under his breath, and he and Garcia whispered for a moment together. " Your pardon senor," he said aloud to me, and waved the boys out of hearing. " Stand back a bit, lads. The senorita IS much to us all, senor, but the cause is more than any one of US-more than even her safety. Our master first, ourselves after, is the rule ; and in this crisis, the cause before all else. We must make the rally here or ■ !> AT CALVARRO'S 305 clll^tbet-^'-^^^^^^^-'-'^^- a.reed>a„d that Why the place would beTuS'"'"'l- ^re you mad? half-an-hour, and everv souH ^^ "^°"' °"^ ^^" '^ tured or kili;d." '''''^'°"' '"^'^e would be either cap- "And how could we die better? v« speak bluntly and my words off ^ "' P^'^^" '^ ^ whose motive is whatUrfLfr/?' '" ^"^°"« judgment goes astray ^ J. ^ u ^°'"^'^"" '^ ^is woman, heart ma J;„i^erseC y '"" ^" ^ m your way to think first of tZ ,' °" ^""^ "S*'' youiove; but this is nrtoll' ^aUe'r \T T"^" of the senorita in peril of her hi T ^^^ ^^°"Sht to think freely-we I e aH .1 ?. ' ^°" °^ '^' P°^er butlforonecanTletutfl ^'' "' ^"^^ ^ ^'•'"e ; to the town, and Gar i^: fhTe^aTd "°"^ ''"^ ^°'"^ help, we'll rally enough to 1T ' ' ""'^ ^^" ^''•^'"'s you're afraid for her ^Lt heT ^ f"^ '^'•^- ^nd if I liked him for h!s blunt outTl '''°''^ "^ ^"-"•" a traitor as I .Hpp dtLr^-^^^^^^ ^- '^^e "Get her away before we're back-fr°"'''" for, like you. I'd sooner she was outT ^T^"' '^^' '"'' P'ease the Saints, shall make th.n "''; ^ '^^"« «' farm ring through Spai .aye and thaTh 1 ""''''"''' breaks, maybe." ^' before morning "I fear^he soldiers will be h#.r* k-/' turn."Isaid,eagerto J thLr.u ^^°'* y°" ^^n re. to lose their helpTn cafe of neeHT T'' '"' ^'^ ^^^^ tracted by my double set of 1 " '""' ^ ^^^ ^° ^'^ what to say or do *"''''""' ^ ^^^^^^'7 knew -^ ,irj it, ,•»■» W '{ ll ii i;l i;:- #•!'. tf 1 li: i ^1 io6 SARITA. THE CARLIi "I would ra.h.V;„„ "a^ '''™ °'^'' f" «« I", •hen, weakly. ^°'' '" "»« "' ""d." 1 ratstatap^'-tTH""' .'■" ''"""^ •>« «'"8'>t no. if .h. Slers l?i:rb1 " ""^ """"^ " i" numbers to ho / the 1^'°" ^ ""''""^eno better. Good-bye senor „h .. o"" ""'' «"<> both. Here aZZI °l' ""= ^"'"'^ P'"*'" ■ "ructions .ia1 ot;; tf Th'"' ^"^ i'"' '■™ "i^ Garcia .1,; nearest and ,"' "'°""'' '"" "in. i •he other ren,ar; Jeadine^'to"'' •" "" •"""■ ' return if the soldiers Mmeth! *^"? """'"« »" a final pressure of he hid t '' Tn "^""S^-'n , their desperate busing h " """^'^ "•<>''» »» I gazed after tZ " "'"' ''"'" "" of sight decifion : even the'^ h T""" *" ^'""'^' ''^Pefatei risk everithT; nd b^ th"""'"- '° "" "•™ "- Sarita and joLd 'hem o„Th.""" """" ' ^""' °' But the mood and the 12 . '°"'"'^ '° "« '<»" Their horses- ,otX T^T^TL I'T '"^ «' swinging myself from the ^17/1, , "'"" = ""> loor of the house, on which he I' t ?'" ^"" "> "> soft double knock. "'"''='''• ""■« «■"« . An old woman opened it hnu;. head, and peering curionJlt h ^ ° """"' <"" he, "Is all well T„*ar?" «h1f ^"^ """'""sly at me. "All is well Moth r i IvL™ " '" ' """ ™'«- " The senor is welcom^'T":? ^'"'^ ""= '">3'- to enter. welcome, and she made way for me "lnd'„s."y?ur""eyif?i,rr " ^^'"' '"' '»^- instantly of /nyth,^g;'u „ot!cO """ ''"' '"' """ "' AT CALVARRO'S ^o? onccTj^lfun?;- ' "r'" ^« "■' -°ri.a a. wa;ALrat%rc=:-^^^^^^^^^ bare-walled nawao-^ .,0. • ^ ^ *"^ narrow h«. r passage, pausing at a door «Sh;in t f n her of your coming ? " ^" ^ *e" w-iodrchaTrraTaT" """l' '^^^"^^^'^ '-"-l-l ; a candle ttrflStdXTi/^r^tror ^ """' by the opening door. ^ ' °^ "*"" ^^"««^^ Near the window and ap-aincf fi,^ wooden bench with a J, aS '.'hi ItZl ^ '""*■' on her hands which rested on one o '.he h 'd T"" U \y f-h- \> !■ IS II ' l[ CHAPTER XXVI THE PLEA OF LOVE X the load of her hopeless trouble was the m, as I HidT"" "' ""^ '>■" '"■^ "" beheld. Know gaus'e thefo «S th" bltli" h T"^^'' ' "" hadthusl IVniflt =%t"' ""r" "■" koT to a-^t. '' prompted m andf;:':;;:,i;lt-'-<;!7--y dearest, you. Sarita, with ™y life if n^ed be ■• '"°' '° '"" she1tlr:ed™vio,e«,7lifr T' f' '""'" "' "^ -'"^ «r„a„d white :S'pf^\\Vr;„'';r^«<' 'h"' "" then jumped to her Lt^ T '"""''• a""" r=P«diate':,proff::efs;C.hr''' "^ " ^'"'" '° Ferdmand.- Eyes and voice and face were full !i THE PLEA OF LOVE 309 i» T 1 ' " "Y are you here ? " firmly """<«""'« hands and held , hem :::r'^er:ot;^;r-S^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Her head fell on my shouWer F !r ^'' *° '""• any rate the victory wait t Ind rfet^JTr"^ '' sense of delight that she was ^lad I h.H ^ '^'^ and that I was civin^ h^ * ^ ^'^ ^^^'^ to her, I did no.Trr.o zrnt '" -" ""*"- her once more in my armsTo fee ' h,? r™*' " ""' to her, that her love bad triln^^^ "" ' """'°« dread dreary time 'and itue'd ;t,:r".''" '" ""^ she battled with her emotion ndt gh'^her I 1"? to self-strength. ""gnc ner w. - back raided hJr ht'ad'TooC"', '"'"'"' °' "■"' "«"= s»e laden, anxion^;: tmi.e^Ti?Tn r'""-' ""''"■ own weakness and ^r^! deprecation of her sympathy. Therhe"/ head rrlro'"^ 'I'"" with a sigh of infinite o * ^ °" ^y "breast slippedfromthe ;s"f a Cd-r' " ""«'" ■■"' , The sonnd was musi fn ITe^rs foHr.!"" "("'■ for the moment at I.,.. "^'^^•.""^ " 'o'd me how misery. "" '"'' "^""""S ^ad eased her awaJ'frT.f/mYtL'n'Lt^^'" m -y arms ; not theLse Of r2v d t ' ^ «=^-"- "ut as though .^o.,hts or tronhi;reTrin;"„-';"r ** "' Iff ly I ■ i Mi i ■i W 11 1 g M>i ^■oSARITA, THECARLIS' »cxr after a pause -v'^r'"' "'""'" '*" "' .« h'lp yoL°" 'wa".''' ''""""^•" ' «'«• " I have con turned. '" '""°"'^ "" "^'"e «» her composure r " Tell me now." loJed"":/"" ""'""' "' '" '™"'"'. ««"««. and I ,„ still holding hers rdTnoi.7 ' ''°°^' "^^ ^ands ^ace. "You m st "ot .m . '' '"^ ^''' '''' '" ^e. Ferdinand. The 1 are th7 ''• ""^^ "'*^ '" ^^"^«'-. instantly may be who 1)1. '°'"'"^ ""'''' ^'^ »^« h«re Shall we'dop'thirw-rjl yr-.'°"^"'-°' ^^^'-'^^ The fear was for me anH h^^ '-= '-.ou.h, as nTVr t'rrferr"td"d"'°"- guessed her nieanina^ ;„o.- "^'^'-elf had done. I " f^o, .here Tnol "rT'''' """ "''^'<' ">e fear. Cabrera and Garcia Tcam^L"""".''' '""> "■™' Cabrerahimself „rged„e in hU f ? *'"' """■• *"" save you." ' ° ""' '''*' """-ds, to try and ^'"il'cZ7X:;z.7'"T'f "" ^-^ -at " Simply as I s^v T °' P"T>l"ity. not recognise rae t ™ ""^"Kn'^l «hem, but they did Ferdinan'd Sr^ne H-t thTt^l"""*" '° "■'"-» in the train ; we escaped from THE PLEA OF LOVE 31, youy,J,ZT ^Tl '" ''"'^'- -">«" »« h«rd that fJZ:'" *°'"* " "''°'»' ^« y- -ad, .CO. goi'nf f; 'LT *"' ':" '"^ ""'• " ' ""'"■ I »as wouW h,„, , y"-/""'- Do yoa think anything would have stopped mef I went where love calleS -Itunrl'^d ~""' .'"t""" >"»" """S discovered notning-and your death would have been certain Tills was rank madness." ^"'• "Had 1 not heard you were here, 1 should have been Her hands tightened on mine, and her eyes were full radul". • f l""' '•"" ^"^"S'" suddenTy a^d gre! "Tndvoul ""''""""^'""'-"•^erface*^ Ana you love me so well as that ? " Th- „ .he .one the ,ove in her eyes^trwondJot rgic'°o"; her beauty, thrilled my every nerve and set mv hear, pulsmg with passion ; and for answer I drew "er now unresisting, to me, and pressed my lip, ,o heTs ' atelyUkrchTM •".''"''" ' ""'^P"'". Pa«ion. hlr nos Sh! "^ '" 7 '""«'"« '» '■"ran avowal from ncr lips. She seemed to read the thought, and nu..i„„ the„':i teVrnd-^r^d" eX'--u?d:"no:r ''' '-r ■• am I reallv ^.A /^"">^' " ^ ^° "ot love you, then do I sav ?-lf ' • ' y°" °^ '"y °^" will-will, She kissed me tenderly, half coyly ; but growing ii-r' I' v* Ifli n 1 ;!i: .'♦» ('; ■■\ 312 SARITA. t:ie carlis suddenly bolder, closed her arms about my neck j pressed my face to hers, kissing me many times w feverish, passionate, intense fervour. "And if it madness to love you, then, dearest, there was never mad a heart and brain as mine. You make me bi out all else in the world when you kindle the flame this love of mine." She drew back again and looked me. " And I thought and meant never to see you aga What a creature of feebleness this love makes me ! " "We will never part again, Sarita," I said, fervent " Ah, that is different, that is all different ; " and s unlocked her arms and fell away a pace, but I caught h hands again and held them. " We will never part again," I repeated earnestl " You will let :uc save you. I can do it. I have con to do it." " How can you save me ? Can you save me fro myself ? Would you tear me from my duty ? Do yc know what has happened ? Ah, Ferdinand, when yc make me think of aught else but our love, you for< into my mind the barriers that stand between us." " There shall be no barriers that can keep me froi you ? Yes, I know much of what has happened. know that by Quesada's treachery this whole movemem on which you have built so much and laboured so hare has collapsed like a house of cards. I know tha through some treachery he had learned how matter stood in Daroca, and that his iron hand has closed o. the place, and every hope you could have had there i crushed and ruined. And I know, too, that your onl^ hope— as it is the only hope of any one of those whorr he has duped— lies in flight. It is not too late for that, §ftrita, But it is the only hope," THE PLEA OF LOVE 3,3 Pli«h..c,„ , 1..V.T™? Would?*'' ""t •" '" ""» bar—wive, call „l for .hr. T - "" P"'"" their Wives, cbildr^S J" ^tm^l^^^rd "'', "" mourning for their dead ? " '""""— »y«. and widow, j™, i, no. your work. Sarita, i, i. q„^,,,. What .- J„3rry thr "anTo'r^lr; ,/t".r T'" the on. mean, that couldalone have Ived « '?h "* by saving the iisurner who«. f «,,-. Z everything ; •^i'HavocV CanTorLTerS'r.":' '""«-■' you':s'rha'vn;,d"ora"1n-:'d"'''''^^'"- ""«" planned and in readines. Do you. hTk";h.' '."' "" on Daroca with all ft, , J^ '^ *^^' '^is raid the CaS pInV r'wrl Th?'? ^'°^" '" ^' °^ arrangements for poUce and mi i arvToV"' '''"'^' itsswift and dramatic action wTsiewo^rr'"''' ^'^'^ And not in Daroca only, b^ire rTc nt^ ;r"^ ' ^^^r„^to Ba"rc'er"^^^; -"-tl^r J^^ i: you w?r? in strength, Sarita, listen to reason. You - .. .X4 Ii I; m I J \i [II 314 SARITA, THE CARLIS were but at a child in his strong, ruthless hands. It his scheme to use you Carlists to get the King remo from his path, and then crush the life out of your wY Carl.st movement, even as he is doing at this hour, t there might be none to stand between him and the po^ at which his ambition aimed. The plans were laid we^ and probably months ahead. His spies and age nrJiL ^ «^"ywhere. even in your midst, worki prying, scheming, and so getting together the inforr t«on that has made this day's work possible." dupes fate. I cannot fly. No, no, Ferdinand," j ci-ied with reviving energy. " Let us face the full tru Our love must be strong enough to bear the strain truth. Between us there stand two bars: my duty my friends, and-I must say it, dearest-your act rescuing the young King. Even if it be true th Quesada has aimed all through at our destruction, he can that make your act less a betrayal of us Carlisf «e was m our power, you took him from us • wh! question of Quesada's treachery can alter that fact < wipe ,t away? Nothing. Nothing can alter it. Nothii, could make me leave my people to be happy with yo, with that fact between us. In truth, I am almost d" tracted when I think of it." forg^it ?"• ' ^°"'' '°'' ''""^ ^°" *° P"^^°" ■"« ^" •' The woman in me throbs with desire to do so but- I am a Carlist, too. dearest ; and the Carlist in me ca. neither pardon nor forget. You break my heart by thi Pleadmg. Will you believe I can never alter. In speak no more of it ? I do love you ; the Holy Virgir knows that h my woman's heart there is no room fo, !l THE PLEA OF LOVE 3,5 thought of another man but you D-.„., d.ar„. ,0 me, you believe ,hf.°"^ J^l'"' "" " *" .™.abo„.„e and lifted heX." ^ nV*"" """■" " Then : "^^ ^S"?-: ' •"••"«•. in«nir.^y moved. •UMhine, ,uch ilorioo. h. ^ •" "'W"*. "ch that the .hadoJ^",°lT'"?' '^ °" "" '""' •'<". chill and gl"m Td aww *5 " "" """ "» ■>.«n.ory.mydeare..Mo^l"T.'* """' '"" « thing of my life 'h' '„„. ^ T'**" " "« »"« '"vely "» more. 'yL„' m„,t lUn^":"" '" "■^P"" = ""' ■»>■" be daneer for v^? T^ *"'* " ""«• There Whether my frfends^Lr ""• "■"""" •»??«»»• danger for you Let m/h \T'' """'• """ ">"" •« .0 you I haveL tLght ;„m " Go"J"1 "■"' " '"" you will be «fe there, for you are «ea^f '".*"""'' ' an English peer, to be frrVf™ 5 """''*' »<>*.•» they try toa^rren you yorhar.'^h/c*"; ""." "" " the young King and tie Queen Mv amh .•" "*"' ^°" ' my patriotism, have been so fLtaffo ?h "'f ""' tfusted me ■ let no. my love be :quan; U^ '^J'"' that one solace. Go Ferriin.nH f "aveme ^H of you. I implor^'yortZ >•■ *° '"V'"' ""• ' : Vo. must no't askTat'C'^r """ '"' "" -•" ".«st'n«b.'=Z'/j;"„ort''"^ '■' °"""'- " Of what would happt f °my tLT '''" "■°"«'» M i 1 i !'• 1 . , , i 1, ■« ■> . % , 316 SARITA, THE CARLIS ready to some of them as the Carlist leader ; and CarJist leader I will be to the end. You cannot c with me, you say; you cannot desert your frit As you will. Then I stay with you, and become 01 you. To me the world is nothing without you. tell me I have lost you because of what I did agj you in taking the young King away. So be it. I win you back again by what I can do for your cans " No, no ; it is impossible. It is madness. You not of us, and must not do this." " I will do no less, Sarita. Cabrera and Garcia i gone to the town in the desperate hope of getting gether a sufficient number of comrades to return make a last stand here for your cause. I urged tl against the attempt ; but I am glad of it now. It give me the chance I need ; and, my word on it, t shall not find me less staunch than the rest of 3 God knows your cause never stood in direr need of emits than now ; and I'll be one." " You are cruel. You will kill me," she cried ; i urged me with entreating and fervent prayers to a my decision, and make my escape ; but I would yield. " If you will go with me, I will go ; but if you si I stay," I said again and again. From that I wo not be moved ; and she was protesting, urging, i entreating, and I refusing, when someone knocl hurriedly at the door, and the lad Juan rushed in, i lowed closely by the old woman. •'A party of soldiers have found the house, sen They are coming to surround it. There is yet a n ment to fly, if you will come at once," he cried, citedly. THE PLEA OF LOVE 3,7 " The senor will fly Tuan v "For t hTmoTS' r ™'"°™«'^- cried, in a voice l( ^°^" ' ^"'■'' "« yourself," she "If you will come ve« it Where ,„„ are. I ..a^/iri J- ""' """ "« -»«. "o. disl':;'" '"'"■^" -" «■' ^ "ood s.ari„, a. „, i„ ;; Come, senor, come," he said, we are not goinp Tnan »• r - Sarita put her hIndsVhe"Va.. h'"'''"'^' ^"'^^'^ ' ^"^ she cried again impulSve?;- '' ^'"'^'^''^^'y, and then ;;Oh,youmustgo. You must go" towa^d'^h'e doT ^"'' ''^'^'^^ ^- '^-c,. I led her n^aylfa'tJT^ ^ ^^P^^'^^. " Every moment lost tafon, she took them from th^Id '? "«^" °^ ^&'- is for your sake," she whLerJ "f" ' ''""^- " ^t the passage. ^^'^Pered. as we hurried out into But the chance was lost. We had h-i ^ 0"ts.de, the sound of hordes' feet .h?'"^ *°° '°"^- and the jingle of bits, told us the soM '"^ °' ^™«' the door already, and'a sto ^ vo " tt-H^' '''" '' command. ^ ^ uttered a word of da^tL'lriHTptLt'td'"''" r ^ J"^" •• -^ '^e he did so we heafd Tma Vs ' T " '°"'- ^"^ « a man s gruff voice, followed by a a m k 318 SARITA, THE CARLIS heavy step, as a soldier entered. At the same taps a loud knock, as from the butt end of a musket, sour on the front door, and a stern voice demanded ad tance. " It is too late, Sarita," I said, quietly. "We wait for them in the room there ; " and I led her bi ^1 ( ? - ! V i fin If -} : 1 1 -31 1 1 . i ' CHAPTER XXVII SARITA HEARS THE TRUTH and I stood nearer thrH°'*'' °" ""^ arri^^al, left ajar that I might he^Vwhaf^'' '[?''' P^Po^'-'y ^ but quite cam,, and her onJsfJ^^^^^^^^^ ^""^ ^^ P^'e. she whispered to me, with a'^Sr ^^ ^''°» '^^ when " You should have «ror - fSi / '^gret- this upon you." ^ ' ^^^^^'^and. I have brought "Nothing has happened vef tk "s." I said, in reply ranTwas' J '^ "'^ "°' ^"°w a further word of reassurln. u' ^'^^ ^f whispering started, held silent by surpri^^^^^^^^ -d of the questioning soldier '^^°«n'sing the voice "Is this Calvarro's farm?" 4- iTa-r^^ ' '''°' -^ -^^'^ a quick catch of "It is Colonel Livenza V^.ri- Holy Mother have p.tv on us r h"'"'" ""^^ ^^ '-t. here ?" ^ ^ °" "« ' how can he have come though, occurred ,„^" Th '""""'"" = ■"" >''" a '0 "h. door, and „hi^LZr "'/. ' "P"''"'' <:'<«<= ' word ,„ him „, me TSv.°l" '' '° '"""' " "". ■-o i, and Cosed .h; dt":;:„' m;^ "' = " ' ""' »iS^I i 320 SARITA, THE CARLISI Meanwhile the colloquy at the front door was pi ceeding. *^ " Yes, senor, I am the Mother Calvarro. Does yo Excellency want provisions for your men, or forage f the horses ? " " No. I want the Carlists you have hidden in ti house here." "Carlists? I don't understand your Excellenc We are no Carlists here, but simple farming folk ai for the King, God bless him," said the old crone. ' " Aye, Kmg. I know your jargon. Which Kinj You re near enough to the grave, I should ha) thought, to speak the truth," answered the bull roughly. " Your Excellency can speak freely. I am an ol woman, and have none to protect me here," was th retort, quietly spoken. "My men will search the house; and look you will pay you best to help, not hinder us." "lam too old either to help or hinder. Do you will." ^ "Who is in your house ? Answer plainly, and wti no more sneering," he said, in a truculent voice •; The house is small to search ; and there is none t( resist." " Well, no matter ; I'll soon know ; " and givim some order which I could not catch, he came along th« passage, and, pushing the door wide open, entered Ah, It IS true, and you are here, Sarita. I could scarcely believe it true. Who else is in the house ? " "For one there is a swaggering bully of old women, and his name is Colonel Juan Livenza," answered Sarita. scornfully. « Another is the good woman of HEARS THE TRUTH jai t„u.°"' "'"■"■ "»" ">""« i« - easy a„U «,. .o - An?!"? .c '^; s:d; .lit """^ i" "-^- all we find here." ^ ^"""^^ «°°^ "re of you trt"'^ ^^"-^ ^-t'e.an and King's officer that "I won't let your gibes anger me " he c.;h « r • foryomcame;andI must^erk Vh vo^' t h ' come in friendship " ^°"- ' ''ave friend; the sal^fo ^Tat^-TeV"/" ^°"^ tense bitterness. And I saw th. "^''' ^''^ '"" To get him and his menUa^ wUhE^h" r '''''' escape. And I blessed her ^orX thni, ' ""'^^^ I resolved to frustrate it. I had anoth .'''" "^'"^ unwittingly Liven._ helped me ^'""' ^"^ ^" in:irre tntritTerrwitrt^^ ""^--"^- ruption," he said. ''"''°"' ^^^'" ^^ i"*-- "You were ever a chivalrous gentleman " «», torted trying hard to goad him to anger '" But he paid no heed to the sneer =n^' • door called „p „„e of his men I d "XVS 't "" the house surrounded, bu. „o. ,„ disturb h™ '"'"P he closed the door, locked if n„^ . . * ^^^" pocket and. feeling ^„e aid^ T '"'''"' "'^ Sarita, without a„/t„ overhear us." " "" "" '^'*' ' A very prudent precaution Colonel t • one for which 1 an. infinitei; o^e^ to voj'j' ".' qmetly, as I pushed open the don- „f .i, ^ ^' ' *""• «.pped out. revolver bhfnd '' '""'"'"<' ""<• :i! r i I'ki II I -:: \ \ ^ I 322 SARITA, THE CARLIST The look of exultant triumph changed to one a craven ear as he gave a violent start and stared ai cIm/ "* *"''^ *° ^"^^*^^' »>"' fo*- the moment could force no words, and his lips moved in a soundles Santa gave me a look of reproach. Why did you do this ? " "That we three may talk without interruption" I Without interruption," I repeated, meaningly and .h i; ^ u'^^'^""' Livenza knows me. and he knows mu.?h H ^' "*' '^'^ °^ '^' ^°°'- '" ''•^ P^^^J^^t there must be delay, even were he to summon his men ; and earth " '"'""'*' °^ '^^' ^""^^^ ''""'^ ^* ^'* ^*^' °" " I shall not call anyone." he said, his voice no loneer jaunty and truculent, but hoarse, broken, and abject, the voice of a coward in deadly fear. Jlr' ^'^"^ *° ^^^' •'• ^^'^ ^'" therefore show your confidence in me further by laying your weapon on the "There is no need for that. I don't wish " On the table there." I said sternly, pointing to it. I have no objection," he declared, with a start at niy stern tone ; and with trembling fingers he drew his sword and laid it down, and then put\is revolver by the side of it, and sighed. ^ " "j"d the key of the door to Senorita Castelar " I bade him next, and without a murmur he obey'ed. Now we can talk without restraint." I said, and put his sword and revolver on a chair behind him "Be HEARS THE TRUTH 323 good enough to answer my questions fully. How comes it you have found your way here to this out-of- the-way place at this precise moment?" " I heard that this was a house where Carlists were likely •• "Wait," I broke in, angrily. "Tell the truth, the full truth ; no half lies and generalities and equivoca- tions ; and don't forget that I also know much— more than enough to test every word you say. If you lie, the interview ends— and the end will not be well for you. Now, answer my question." " Sebastian Quesada's spies in Daroca found out that Senorita Castelar was here, and I came in search of her." " That's better. Now, what secret arrangement has there been between you and Quesada affecting your relations with the senorita ? Remember, I know it, but wish her to hear it from you." The question set'him trembling in dire agitation, and for some moments he stood hesitating and perplexed, trying vainly to speak. " What do you mean ? " he muttered. " Answer," I said, sternly. " And mind, the truth." Again he wrestled with his feelings, and then in a low voice : " He knew of my passion for her, and— and thought that if she was to be arrested, I had best do it." " You are lying, Colonel Livenza," I said. "I am unarmed," he muttered, shifting his eyes un- easily, " I, too, was unarmed once before your weapon ; and afterwards you swore to tell me the truth. You know why. But if you mean that I am insulting an unarmed man, here, take your revolver ; " and I put it on the Iff Ml, : I ■ ^l If iH SARITA. THE CARLIS table and pushed it toward him " Vou li.H n i Livenza," I repeated. ''"'• '^'° of TheTa"' '"^'.YV "' '°"''"'' '" "■' '"««- -%,;:::-in.ftrrtrj::"^^-:r~r^ senorita is to be my wife " ^ * ^ 4n\^i':rd:rn„t':tr:i'"-- yourhei^andsitc^"?.' *"" ""''• '^"'"''» «»"* ;; " you put it so, yes," he munaured. This IS mfamous," cried Sarita. agaif "to'Lr ' °"- ^''^"•P'"-."I«id.oh.r=th. .osXrcaTeuttrc-r »: •- -• you that she should be your wife H^- "^ T"" be, and what was to h=™ % L "" "" ">" •' not failed aid thrCaZ" ""'""'°" '"« •'^'' cessful?" '^""" """"■"t had been sue "It was not meant to succeed Hi. -••• » get the young King awav .hf m I "'''"' "" "> and a. the sfme .ImeTo^'ush^he'Sj- r"'™"' they are now being crushed H.,^ ^ ' ""°«' ^' np a provisional r„™ ^'" intended to set self a? the tod on. JTv '' '' ^ '*'=''"''"<=• "'"■ him- offices ; and hen to I'r^"? ."'^ '"'" '"'""» «"'»« all the to consolidate an cCes taT" ""r" ^""""' '" ""- an Classes in favour of the Government." Hears the truth 325 '* I was to be Minister of War." "Spain has lost a brilliant servant *h^., j port^lio and a wife, by the ^^"0^ tt Vo^ ^S dee J^n t.H '°"''"^' ^°" ""''^ "°' '°°' -^h to'gTso sadnM ^ v'°'"'**''"«^ '"^'■'^ substantial fhan Que- sada s word. You knew him too well for this Wha proofs of h.s sincerity did he give you ? " of extrH'''"^?^"'"' ""^ '''°'^^^ °"^« "'o^^ the signs titrerd^u^Ctoi!!' ^' ^-^''^ ™<^ ^- ;; Ihad only his word ; nothing could be written." What proofs had you ? » I cried again sternlv "Do you think I don't know what I am saying?" "'"• I har^'S^^:!^^^"'"^'^- ' -« ^" ''•^ -«^-e. ;; What proofs had you ? I shall not ask you again " He gave me the provisional promise in a Ster" WoodT ; 'T'u *° '^ "^""^ ^^^"^ »^'- like d ops of t rew un hT^.'"' ^P°'^" '^^ ^'^'^^^ heavily'Ld tnrew up his hands in despair It is with my bankers, in my safe at Madrid " h. protested ; but I paid no heed, and'insis ted disregarding ahke his protests, declarations, oaths, and entrelt ief and at length made him give it me. He was carrv ^^ ^ sewn up in his clothes, and when I made himTrf stLnH ' J'^t '° ""'''■""8: that he could no longer stand upright, but sank helpless into a chair. ^ #;. Mm &^ 4 4 • rlli' i& J* 326 SARITA, THE CARLIS A glance at it showed me the prize I had seen and the weapon it would be against Quesada, if on could get it safe to Madrid and lay it liefore the Ki eyes. " I have nearly done with you," I said then. « , you have my word that I will keep the document saf so that when the Republic is proclaimed you may cl your seat in the Ministry. But first tell us w arrangements were made, and when, for the suppress of the Carlist risings ? " "All has been in readiness for weeks past. ] months, Government agents of all nationalities t classes, men and women alike, have been at work in directions, and by every possible means worming ( secret information. Many of the men who to-day i among the trusted leaders and supporters of Don Car are Government agents in Government pay; ev< movement planned and made, every council and thouj almost, every act and speech, have been carried Quesada, and actor and speaker alike listed, watch* shadowed, tested in a hundred subtle ways, and mark as either suspect or actual revolutionary. Never in t world was such a net devised, and never spread wi subtler cunning or more implacable purpose. Wh chance could you have against such a man ? " he crie turning to Sarita. " Surely never before was such ; iron strength, invincible will, fathomless depth, ai consummate judgment found in a Spaniard. His spii were everywhere, in your most secret councils ; he hj your strength to a man ; your secrets were his dai knowledge ; and you only remained free to plot an plan because he knew that at a signal he could crus your whole revolution as I would pinch a fly betwee f HEARS THE TRUTH ^2^ my fingers. A week ago every man was in his place ready to pounce the instant the signal was given ; nay he very prisons and ceils were marked out to which h! ? i? """* '° ^* **•'*" • »"^ •" *^«^y t^wn where the slightest trouble was anticipated, soldiers out- numbenng you five to one were ready at hand. What "^llIX^ 1° ^^'^ ?"' '''"" '^*'*' ^^"^ happened? He built h,s plans on the successor the abductio7plot *"«^u' ^^^"^ '^ '*•'" •'^ '* '°""^ stronger than ever." ' ornJil'h "JH"? *^'*'»'"*'" "'^d Sarita, stung into the protest by the lingering refusal to believe she had been so duped. "Proofs ? The proofs are written all over Spain at this moment. Am I not here? Is not that a proof > ^hy was I at Daroca before you thought of coming ? ^^h' t? "r, ?' J' *"°^*^^ y°" *" *° ^°«» yourselves with the belief that your stronghold here was not known to the Government, and that you yourself would be sure to fly here when the trouble fell upon your not by the hundred only, but by the thousand, in the orders given to every regiment of soldiers and every body of police. There is no hope for you, Sarita, but Que'irdr-' "^"""^ ^"^^^ * """" "''' ^^^^«''*" Then I saw the reason of his earnestness, which for the moment had puzzled me. He was bent upon eet- ting her to renounce Carlism and upon filling her with hate of Quesada, that she might the more easily be pardoned and given to him as his wife. He could not have rendered me more cflfective aid, indeed, had I prompted him in every word he said. And then I went on to play the last card I had in reserve T ■ 1 : 1 ; ■ ^ 1 - «■ 1 1 ^ Ml t 328 8ARITA. THE CARLIS " You were in Quesada's confidence, you tell us, it ii plain that you were to lome extent, for he going to help you in winning a wife. Did he ever you his own intentions in regard to marriage ?" Sarita started and looked at me hurriedly, b would not see the glance. " They were nothing to me." " You have told us how these Carlists were manoeuvred and duped by him ; do you think tl were no dupes among those nearer to him?" An spoke with an emphasis that impressed him. •• What do you mean ? " " Do you know that he himself also thought of n rying a Carlist, one high in their councils, and that made the price of his collusion in this abduction pic pledge from her to marry him ? " I had not miscalculated the effect of the stro Poltroon as the fellow was in the abject regard for life, he was a true Spaniard in his love and his hai and the jealousy in his nature was a devil that could roused easily. It put new strength into him now, a he sprang to his feet again and glared across the tal at me with eyes of fire. " Do you mean I was his dupe in this ? By the livi Cross if I thought that " •' Ask the Seuorita Castelar the name. She can t you." " Is this true, Sarita ? Can you tell me ? " There was a pause of tense silence, and then s answered with slow deliberation : " After what you have told us of his falseness, the >s no reason why I should not say. I was to be h wife." :tl HEARS THE TRUTH 3;, He stood glaring at her liki. « «. . ^ in th. rigidity of d'ea h^^ve VhaT hi. e "1 '""•'^'"^ coals; and for a full mr^uf. k ^'^^ «'°'^'^^ '"^'■• breathe, so u„„atura" ZZ stU.n'eT xr^ " deep-drawn sigh which shook the whni 7 " '""'' * trembled, and I thought would LTk'* ''""''' ^'" »>« mastery. * °"'*' '*"» ^^e regained self. " On your honour, and bv th« w«i ir- . that is true ? " he sa d in « L '^ ^"■«^'"' y°« •''ear And in ,h. pau,. » tho«h, LI? h °" """"'^ ""'"'• .0l.n,n cS had ml? Q„.«d:?5:.".r'- ""'''' »"r.ly a. tho-gh the warrait "ere to f", •'""""' " Pletely changed man when he L. .. '" ' "■»■ tether nnnatural cal^^ •''°'"' »"" " "'o- to d?° ' '" """'■ '™" Carbonnell ? I have ,ork " And your men ? " "I shall withdraw them • th» ^ • , would warn ,„„ .„ X' ^;^y^ ''« «» you. , «.ld,e^ are everywhere ; and '^^bovj llUhf ' '" '"= every Carlist haunt, for each of th,m! J ^' ""''' we shall not meet «ain wm . ! ''"°''"- ^"iu. and he went toward her as tf 1'°?" ^^ "^'"y' ' " kcr hand ; but not fee^^q i '," roVhT '7'" ■"■" 'orward. Sarita said, i„ I l,d ha"d.l .°'' ' """"■ • "'"' "' ''» "■- -'""g to me, Colonel ■ -h, ,A 1 ' ,i:i^: » i»'i 330 SARITA, THE CARLIS' Livenza. I can have no kindly thought of, or foi traitor like you. I hope we never shall meet again.' Believing what I did of his intention, and that i was right, he was surely going to his death, I regrett her sternness. "As you will. Some day, perhaps, you will thii less harshly ; " and without a word or a glance to n he picked up his arms, and, while I unlocked the do< he sheathed his sword and thrust the revolver into tl case he wore about his waist, and went out. We heard him call to his men, and give them a sha; short command ; the jingle of accoutrements as th( mounted was followed by the sound of the horses' hoo as they wheeled round and trotted away. "What had we best do now, Ferdinand?" askc Sarita, when the sound had quite died away. " You are convinced at last ? " " Don't," she cried, wincing in anguish. " I am s humiliated. To be set up for barter by these villain and cheats J and fooled. For the Holy Mother's sak don't let me think of it. Give me something to d< Take me somewhere, anywhere that I may try to foi get my shame." " By God's help that shall be to England, Sarita and we will know no pause or stop till we are safe We'll blunt the edge of this business by the excitemen of the journey," I cried, little perceiving what thi excitement would prove to be ; and calling for Juan, told him we would start at once, and that he must fin( us a way through the web which the soldiers had spreac all round. One precaution I took, due more to the fortunate accident that we had to wait a few minutes (or tfce WEARS THE TRUTH a, horses, than to any fores.Vh* r • "Oich Uv.„„ h^d pCt IT"';- "~'"l«'««r op. which I Obtained frr™M;th.r r'f "* " '" '" '"«'• « to Mayh=» at the BritUh Fmh '""' ' ""'«««' •o keep it with the pawrf I iTn '^' ""'" '"'"""ion, to him. '^ '"" ' '"" previously entrasted ,Vo. musf ,„ard !t el'„ l'/' ^ '^r """"'» ^°"- l">erty for hundreds of us • knd , l, '^ """ "'« ^"^ place it in ,he hands of him ,„ k "• '° *'«'"<' '"<« Mr. Mayhew, ,, the B, sh f1 '"" " ''' addressed, and if you have to deliver thMetr- «;««■"<•«/ will pay you very libera ly" T\T ^° " ^'"Y. I promise, and then I mounted * "' ' '"""'" '-re Which werealrekd^pr^enVtotv" '■''!.'""'''"'■ ">« force. With that we^"ed "^ """" '" "'"l"'"- >"* i^r i: I » ■ ■■■■' . ■ i ' ■ i CHAPTER XXVIII HOW LUCK CAN CHANGE AS we left Calvarro's I rode with the utmost cau- ^ tion, for I felt by no means certain that Livenza, even in his changed mood, might not attempt some treachery. But I wronged him in that thought. He had cleared right away and had taken his men with him ; and so soon as I was convinced of this, I drew rein and questioned Juan as to the possible roads that were open for us to take. The position of Daroca made our difficulties vastly greater. The mountains were on three sides of us, and Juan admitted that he knew the passes very indiffer- ently, while it was certain that the chief of them would be blocked with the soldiery. The one bit of open country was that by which I had ridden from Calatayud, and as that was also the country which our young guide knew well, I determined to go there. From Calatayud I resolved to use the railway, not to Saragossa or Madrid but to work our way nor 'h through Old Castile and the Basque Provinces, and across the frontier to Bayonne ; and I directed Juan therefore to make for Calatayud by the road I had travelled earlier in the night. " Do you think you can hold out for a twenty-mile ride, Sarita?" I asked her, as I explained generally my plans. HOW LUCK CAN CHANGE 333 -« W™""' 'V- *" '"""''"' " I <=->"'<• only g« <.er„e„u, distress would bTfot UCsicT^aJ '"Z and we rattled along therefore at =, ^/"y^'*^^' fatigue, ^ra.on.U^e.os/panrrcV^tj^--- " I have nothing. I came in this disguise " she an The truth of this reference to her incongruous dress ened. I had not given it a thought while we werf at Calvarro's, nor while the darkness made the master o costume a thing of no importance • but inth. h T u twasaltogetherdifferent^till L^il;"^ S^^^^^^ grow on Spanish hills, there was nothing to do but t- make the best of it, and get a change of dress at th° first available opportunity. After ^1, there "as t a Ji!" \"'"' ='"■»« «"'i'-ely to her own thoughts and (or«,„. hours we scarcely spoke ,o each otherfuluCas \mi mi i^i' fC' :i'f fill 334 SARITA, THE CARLISl I had dismounted and was leading my horse upa.hill I her side, she looked down and said with a smile : " You are very good to me, Ferdinand, and vei thoughtful for me. I cannot bear to speak much yet " That's all right. We shall have many years ( chatter to make up for a few hours' silence," I answere cheeringly. *• I can guess pretty well how it is wit you. Don't worry. Let's get out of this mess an we'll have all the more to talk about. What a youn brick that Juan is. I don't know what we should hav done without him. He'll pull us through yet," and really began to look as though he would, for we wei within a mile or two of Calatayud. " And do I owe nothing to you ? " " We won't shout till we are out of the wood. Bi here we are at the top of the hill, and forward's th word again ; " and soon after that we came in sight ( Calatayud nestling down in the valley a good way b( low us, the smoke from a few early fires curling u lazily in the breezeless air. " Thank God, there's the railway," I said, pointing t where a sinuous line of white steam marked the cours of a train just leaving the station on its way to Madric Then I called Juan back. *' I am not going to you grandfather's if I can help it, Juan. I have reason t know it will be dangerous. Is there a Royalist hous in the place ? " " Yes, senor, there is Angostino's. But if there at any soldiers in the town they are sure to be there." " All the more reason for them not to think I shoul go there, too. Now remember, the senorita and I ar English people, brother and sister. I am Lord Glisfoyle — and I made him repeat the name several times, an( ^i HOW LUCK CAN CHANGE 335 Lse .o'fi„i " '°°° " "' "' <=">« "ough'to the „°"'' '" S""' »'"• "^y, you'll take the horse»_thev new, and tell him that I am arrested R.,f .v t then I Shan want you to he Tdy fj g„^l' '/ ,""""• and Hen we cLe nearel.ro^^Xrlra' and I dismounted, and he rode a«y with the hort^ forabomfar'-;'.''"'^ ^°" "^"« now,re™e„™L lor a bold face on things and no lanimare but Pn„i,- k no character but that of eccentric Ingllh folk a 'd ' prayer front the bottom of our heart! ttty' We'd R»b,o .s not within a dozen miles of Angostino's ?„ that case we'll soon be at breakfast, and you'll soon b^ in bed-and the best place for you '• Scarcely anyone was astir in the narrow street or ,„ he inn itself, and swaggering in with the ass 'raice ^f an irresponsible tourist,! asked for breakfasfa^H couple of rooms for myself and sister. Uook ca" ,o put a good broad English accent into my Spaits tt^stTf ::rr " '"'^" "— O".- mlt Everything went smoothly. A single gold Diece converted a sleepy serving maid from a^wonfelg a„d contemptuous critic of Sarita's dress into an obsequious servant, who led her away at once. ^^sequious '1 1 :m ■1% ' { ■ '-f i ■.,' 0' ': "r , % I Pri (i * •;■■ i" |l?l r t . ;||: 336 SARITA, THE CARLIST " Don't be long, Mercy, for I am as hungry as th deuce," I called after her, loudly. " All right," she cried in reply, in a most winsom accent that no English girl could have copied to sav her life. Then the landlord, having heard that a rich English man had arrived, came hurrying out to me with 1 mouthful of breakfast, a rich smell of garlic, and ', whole person eloquent of a desire to do my biddin] and earn my money ; and a few minutes saw me in thi only private sitting-room in the place, a guest of les importance having been promptly dispossessed in m; honour. There is nothing like a combination of im pudence, money, and a character for English eccentri city if you want vour own way on tne Continent. An( I never wanted mine more badly in my life nor got i more promptly. " You are a magician, Ferdinand," said Sarita, as wi sat at breakfast. " But you are not Spanish," I whispered, warningly " and an English brother and sister don't carry thei eccentricity so far as to talk in any language but thei own, Mercy." "Then we can talk very little," she replied, ii English. " Which is precisely how English brothers and sisteri do behave," said I, with a laugh. " What about clothes ? " she asked in some little dis may. " I'll see to that. After breakfast you must go t( bed. I don't want anyone to see you for one thing and I do want you to get some sleep ; and while yoi sleep, I'll work the oracle." HOW LUCK CAN CHANGE 337 she asked, wrinkling her brow at "You will what?' my slang. thir^"^''^^''^'^ °^ *°'"* *='°*^« somehow, if I steal to f^rige" " "°" " '"^""' "^^ °^^^' ' -" ' -' inSt''"'/'^^' '" °"' ''"P^*^*- What soldiers were m Calatayud were at the inn. and sticking to my pr!n! c^le of the value of, impudence. I went up to The two officers who were in command of the party bade them good-day. and asked them if they spoke EngUsh ^T of them replied that he did. ^ ' ^^ J!i^Ti'u- '^*''' ''*^""^' *"*^ ^ff'^^'^d him my hand and asked h.m to give me a cigarette. " I can speak Spamsh a bit. but our English tongues don't seem to fit the words somehow. Let me introduce myself for I want a httle advice. I am Lord Glisfoyle an En^ hshman travelling with my sister, and we have iuft" heard of the death of a relative in iondonTLS hav t get there qu.ckly. Which is the best way to go ? I mean, considering the mess and excitement of all this Carhst busmess. I was at Daroca. and wanted to g up to Saragossa by rail ; but yesterday you gentlemen had taken possession of the line, and I'H be hangedTf I could get tickets. So we rode over here and lefTour baggage there. Here is my card ; " and. as if searcS mg for one. I pulled out a roll of English bank notes" which impressed them as much as I desired 'l haven't one. I see ; I must have left my card case when I changed. I expect. Anyhow, it d'oeTn't mat! «h^ M "f "' ''^^ ^' °^''«^"«^ ^^ *^°"^*«y demanded he should be to a rich English nobleman in a difficulty and very soon we three were discussing my route ov*; .1- pi 338 8ARITA, THE CARLISl a bottle of the best wine which Angostino could find his cellar. The Madrid route was suggested ; but I said I ha thought of the other, and then my two companior worked out the train service in that direction. Afte that was settled we went out together and strolle about the streets chatting and smoking ; and in th course of an hour I had acquired a good deal of use ful information about the doings and plans of the mili tary ; while on my side I took them to the telegrap office and let them see the telegrams I sent off to Lor don and to Mayhew at the British Embassy in th name of Lord Glisfoyle. That business completed, they went off to their mili tary duties, and I found shops where I could get som( clean linen for myself and a costume of a kind fo Santa, to whom, trading on Spanish ignorance of sucl things, I ordered them to be sent in the name of Udj Mercy Glisfoyle. Then I sauntered in the direction o old Tomaso's house, and finding Juan on the lookoui for me, I told him to be at the station that afternoon ai four o'clock, to watch me but not to speak to me ; anc to take a ticket for the station where we had to changt into the train for the north. Having done this good morning's work, I went back to the inn to have a couple of houfij' sleep before leav- ing. I paid liberally and tipped royally, so that every- one about the place was sorry for my going. The two officers insisted upon accompanying us to the station to see me off ; an attention which would have been very pleasant, had I n^t feared that he who spoke English might detect Sarita's accent ; but I put a bold face on matters, and explained that my sister, Lady Mercy Glis- HOW LUCK CAN CHANGE 339 foyle, was very much fatigued, and had so bad an attack norZTA^' '"'^^ '^ ^^^^^^ her face and ecu d even '^th.; ^ "'"' '*'* confidence in me that Snit\oS;"^^^""°'^^^^^^^^'-^--- tictet^fo '*''°" 'i?'**"' "'^ «°°^ "°"«h to take our quest onf ? ?"' '' ''"'^ '"^"' '"'^ ^" troublesome we ?I ed it . a"ndt T'' '''"'"'^^ ^""^^ ^° -"-^ as ri/!t.„H ' u ^"'^ ^^' ^"'"^"i' •" the train, and I was tandmg chatting with my two new friends when the luck veered, and the crash came all suddenly i^onTv ■rK^*'' '''''''' ^° "* •'^^^"^ I had brought' It on myself by a single piece of over-acting. ^ „nl ' r"" '° ^'^^'^ ^' ^he Embassy proved my undomg It was tampered with or censored or some tio7of t^'""'^- ^' ^"^ '^'^ '' ^^^^ ""<^- the atten. t.on of the pohce there ; and the name having been hid br;' ^f ^'^'°' CarbonnelLwhen the aftempt had been made to arrest me at the Hotel de I'Opera retnttrT"""r" ^°"^^^' ^"^ '-^-^tio- were sent to stop me. I was laughing with the officers " Lord Glisfoyle, I think." " Yes, what do you want with me > " kin7 Th'"""^' ^"' '^''' '"'y ^' ^ "'^take of some f«v„H f fr '"''"""^tions to ask you not to leave Cala- tayud for the present." "From whom are your instructions?" I asked qmck y, m very fluent Spanish, forgetting all about my English accent m my chagrin and surprise. t.,„^ ^i '°'"! Jf^"" ^^"^"^ ' ^"'^ they speak of a cer. tarn Ferdmand Carbonnell in connection with you " if .m m ,.^ if 340 SARITA. THE CARLIS' .tali vou'" d;*^"*' "°''*'"*"' *"^ »' • •«" *o ""^ away ^ y;„,?h ^°" """ ^°" '"^"^ *° "'^P ^V «« away. You ]1 do so at your own risk ; and unless 1 use force I shall certainly go." ^ " I trust you will not compel us to use force I ha no alternative but to obey my instruction^" At that moment I noticed the expression of the t ledge of Spanish. I was to pay a heavy price%or '' I repeat I am an English nobleman travelling wi qTt'lv with"' ''' ^"^'"'^ Government will not pu" quietly w.th any mterference of this kind. I am call by urgent business of a private character to" that il/etr."'"'^ T'°"- ^'^"^ l^entlemen kn^ mediatt returt""' '' '° ''°"'°" ^"'^^""""^ -^ " replilrt'ht^"'' r't^'' P^''"* *^^" ^ understood, senor replied the English-speaking officer, drily. « T thin no better excuse to get a word with Sarita. Speak I o the carnage door a.d said coolly, in English • «lZ K Mrl'c" """ 'T -' '"' "■-« «-'«"-is\noney Wire to Mrs. Corwen when you reach Bayonne and re a'unc^'xo^rV {"T" '^'"'"^ '^' '^" wifh a^L, J^'^ J?'""' '""•P"^« »•■« consented, and wuh a hght nod, I added : "I shall be on by the next t t n HOW LUCK CAN CHANGE 34. tion." "'"•'"" ■*"«"«' with every coMider.. " This !> monstroui,'' I txeUm.A i.j- my protests were uoavail.n/V T J"t«""°*''' i •>" inHnite chagrin and di^'"'' "* '""' '° '""" "-e .team awa^^thoa, n. T" "1'°.' "" ""'"« '"« "'» an a.,„,^til" o" i"di,ma.T„ I," """«""«' ""''" where w. were to go '^""'°' "'"""' «"« •"■«< offic^rve':;Ur .:» f ^"'--^ «"or," said the tions." ^^* further instruc- Juan watching „,a. a «f. dl;ta"c f nd .", :.%'. "! -rar^TrL^TyTutr'-a^ h"'^ •'"" '» ^^" -...howthat'L::-:^'":- --^^ »m\o"';hV:ii:'i:r'' '» "■' B''"- embassy," , the„ «:« xT;e\rx;t:tLz:xrr '- ■- "-- ing for ne bat to comply. ' " """ "" """■. We went bacic to the inn to wait • but .h- h.i no. ong,,or in reply to .he ..,:^;m"nl?„ ^^^ M?drid """ " ""'"*' "" - •»"■ "- •» S'o li 1 i''. f; ; hui . ii 34a 8ARITA, THE CARLI8 " You will give me your word to make no attempt reiwt ui, lenor ? " ••icmpi " Ceruinly I will not. I won't recogni.e your act •n any way, and you can take the consequence, everything you do," was my hot reply. But it serv no other purpose than to cause the man to have t a 1 aTtemr.""' '*" '" '*** ""•*«^' '^^^ P-venti a 1 attempt a conversation between Sarita and myst other than a few words of English .tnl^li'* l^T"^ ^" P^" '^*" «"°"ffh. showing a stoli Trerenceoi h"" ^° ^^-^^'''n^. and maintfining tl pretence of .nd.sposition. But it was all of no ava I had one consolation. Juan was in the train, and knew that very soon Mayhew would be acting to effe Znev'bv 'th "t' °'"P"' '''' ^•'"^ *°^ ^^^J'"™ of '' ifSLV^et"' ""' '''''' "°^^ serious proble protest, and in a few words sent my spirits d'o^t th7wouTd' br'''"'"^ ^."^°""^" • ' ''"^^ '^'at. an, that would be enough, but there is more. This i w:"re"ston?r'"l^ "^^^ P-minent Carlist and yo were stopped .n the act of helping her to escape frort the country under the pretence that she was your siste^ Fo that even Lord Glisfoyle would have ^o an we You are not m England, senor " ^L HOW LUCK CAN CHANGE 343 .BdfeA'h!.' '" "'• ^'«'l««y •••« Minuter ,o „„|. wety. Thus, instead of bein? w(>ll r„ , j Bayon„ea.,hadhoped.Ifo:;;^::^l ;;::;^ filthy prison cell in Madrid, with a hitter lo < .? rr - gmngs and fears, and a host of u.ie l :,::.:;;; ^M hT '" *'* «»«-tsighted...s ..r^;;, : Which I had committed at the mo. .ent v,. »,. ;■,, . ,-, freedom lay .n the hollow of my iuuui. i .c -a ..ave dashed my head against the waU i„ tiu bn Jnes .f my self-reproach and futile regrets sid?'^I r."'^ "°' '"' •"' communicate with . a: out- and thev an '" Tu ' '*"" '° '"^^ ^"^-»^ Embassy, !nH '''^y *"*^«'-«d that I was a Spaniard and a Carlis^ UrZ.il' 0TI ^"^i,"^'^- ^^--dedanln! hall ro! H ^ u ''^' ^""^ *^^>^ '■«P''*d ^''h the flout wentio far r " "''" '^ "^'^ ^" appointment. I 7n.t r> f ^" ^' *° '**1"«^^ 'hat a message be sent Ind'! H'"'r''''^^'*"«»''^ ^' ™« for a madman and jeered and sneered the louder in proportion as i stormed and fumed and raged. Seeing that I made ud njymind to be sensible, and do theoSly thingTll? Nor did I wait in vain. The luck which had gone so well with me to a point zini::fj' ""'T'^' ^^^^ -^'^ ruinous cr:: mTT u '""""^ ^8^^'" 'he moment I reached Madrid, where there had been a witness of my a r est who was soon to bring me help. ^ ' I had been about three hours in the cell, and was P-sing the weary, baffling, irritating time in specurat! I y|-^-:' w-f 344 SARITA, THE CARLIST ing how long I was to be left like a forgotten dog i the dirty kennel of a cell, and how long it would tak Mayhew to get to work to find me and procure my re lease, when the door of the cell was unlocked and j warder told me to follow him. "Whereto?" I asked. " There's a visitor for you." "Bring him here, then," I answered, determined thai anyone from the Embassy should see the filthy place ir which I had been caged. " Come with me," he said again. "I will not," I answered, and curled myself up on the bare bench. At this he growled out an oath, and after a moment banged the door and locked it again It was probably a novel experience for him to find any prisoner unwilling to get out of such a kennel at the firsj opportunity, and, in truth, when some minutes elapsed and he d.d not return, I was disposed to regret my own obstinacy. But I heard his returning steps later on, the door was once more opened, and the brute said, in a tone of deference : " The prisoner is here, senorita," and I jumped to my feet in intense surprise to find Dolores Quesada, holding up her skirts, and looking in dismay at the disgusting condition of the cell, and then with distress, sympathy and concern at me. j f j, !l«l^ t I fli CHAPTER XXIX QUESADA AGAIN she ^r"" ""• " " ""'='• «""• I« " "orribl. ... "I am but one of hundreds honoured with ,k. . treatment, and the courtesy of n,v h„ . ■ "*"" .0 render it difficult for ml7o ,««?■ " " """'"«" "I have brought the order for your release ..„„ br.athclh.la'i'dro'.r.rdtr.'""* ""' "« "" I told the prisoner to come before h,.. h. , , »">orita," said the man in a surlv .^ . ''"'*''' 'ollowed him along the corridor « aZarrL""" "' "«ar the entrance to the gaol ^ ' ^"^ '°°'" CarLTeir'rL","*" ^r" ""' -«er.d,Senor b« pledged w«d .^ ' """"' "■•- """ "^ken I'.; ' 346 SARITA, THE CARLIS' : i. ' V I ! f : if If " I shall ever remember your former efforts for t senorita, but you will see that the subject of Sci Quesada's conduct is one I can scarcely discuss w his sister," I answered. " But it is just that which I want to discuss. I hs obtained your release " " Pardon me," I broke in, " but I cannot accept i release on any conditions whatever. I am profounc indebted to you for this act of yours, deeply impress by the motives which underlie it, and can never ce« to think kindly of you for it ; but, though you fou me a prisoner in such vile surroundings, I am not wii out great influence even here in Madrid— far greal than your brother deems— and my liberation was most but a matter of hours. I can therefore make conditions even with one so gracious and so friendly yourself." "You have maddened Sebastian against you threatening him, buv^ you will not think of such thingi " I would do much to please you, I am sure you kn( that ; but you ask me what is impossible," I answert firmly. " There is no man in the world for whom I wou have done this," she cried, impetuously. "And I h to strain to the utmost my influence with Sebastian do it. The very fact that he ordered your arrest defiance of his pledge to me shows how bitterly he fee I was at the station this evening by the merest chan when you were brought there, and I could scarcely b lieve my own eyes when I saw you were under arres I went at once to Sebastian " "Pray forgive me if I interrupt you, but I cann discuss his conduct with you. If you saw the arrej fi'l^ 1 1 '^^E i ' "f iM M ! 1 X- i 1 QUESADA AGAIN 347 however, you will have seen that I was not alone In I know that she was arrested, and you yourself saw the place where I was i-prisoned, and can judge of the fitness of such a hole for a girl " ^ shl'cl^edZrX""' "" ■"' —'"^o-'" .'.'^1,?!.°°.' "T ' ""<'«"'^">"«" " his P'ay a. thitrLTs X':°e a'l"' '" "° """ °' " " and you don'f „nH ," ^"^^ ^ woman, we are men : death."^ I had him It '''''' ^^'^^^ '" a duel to the ingly.and am surprised^ Le , ' trn"^ anywhere else-excent nf . *" ' ^"' ''^'"^ o*" is all one to me We ll T' 'V'^' ^^^eping-it circumstanceTwhi^ voa IT' ''' ^"^' ""^^^ '^e n^y disadvantage^ ' '"' '''"^^' '" '^''^ ^^^ to andl^h!^:::-^^-- --en stopped me "Mo' "°1 ^'°"e," he rapped out, ;harply. No, with the lady who is to be my wife " I retort.H He'redTurinlntt^'-^l-^- calmly. ''^ recovered himself, and spoke "That remains to be seen. Butwhythis interview v' up to it;:."" ""^'^ '''" ' ^"--^-'^ -"^y. anrgot " Vou must not go," cried Dolores. ii. ( I t"""■ ''""'= '>'•'"<'". is no more tha„ an f n^' "" '""' "" P"^""" wha. must h'aveWlotd '.!"'"'" "^ "■''^' "" '■°- <" Bn.nhI7r?o'°;;r°"'1, '"''""« -^ «•"°■"• can do." 'hat-nothmg, at least, that you "s7hat:?or:;'°,5ru;;'eTbtr/''" ^^ '" ^'" Wat it iv cried S es i„ llZiT^ "' ""'■ ^^ "It is useless even " „aUTt I, "V'"""'^- than the undoine of all thu IT i '* """''"8 '«' tion of the CarlU.it „„'' l"" ""'""'' "'"«"- taken for the »Sr„7 f .t """""^ "^""^ ""Oer- spain..„.;o:rt:tht:":S""'" •-' -"'- <" excll":d:'"4Tcardo ' '\^'' " '' ""'•' ^"e your inHuence U whaHtt '"'^ '°«'' ^*"'"^" = «h"= ti>at this Shan be'donV': dT„"" :^° ^T""' '^^ Spain-I know he Jir ^ G'^sfoyle will leave you fear so Ich.."""" ^"^ "P ">ese documents wolaZ rc:j;rrtr':^''h""' ""-^"'^ <*'-"'=<' veheme'nceofen.o,io„ "' '-"asunder by the repu°dia"eVe:rr;„t\r:St" ti," "°' '"^'-"^ brows in deep .hou.h'Sr'rmrlr'' ''"'' '""-"^ -iaTe„-e:':,x.^;:--^ ;-i yi ,::' m ;i ll f f4 . 352 SARITA, THE CARLISl " Do you mean would anything ever make me conse to see Sarita Castelar your wife ?" "Would you go alone?" he repeated, in the san tone. " Nothing would make me consent to that," I replie answering my own question. " And nothing will ev« induce me not to hold you responsible for h< safety." He heard me without a sign, and again buried hin self m his thoughts. Then he pushed his chair bad rose, and went to the door. "Leave us a few minutes, Dolores," he said, still ii the same set, even tone. " It is possible that we ma yet arrive at an understanding." She looked at him in fear, then at me, doubtingh and again back at him. " No, I cannot leave you. I— I dare not." "Leave us, Dolores. I shall not murder Lore Glisfoyle." She still hesitated and lingered, but at length yielded saying as she passed me— " I shall see you again ? " I bowed, but said nothing; I was too full of surprist at the turn things were taking, and too thoughtful, wondering what was to come next. Quesada held the door while his sister passed out and closed and locked it after her, and turned back to his table. "We are now quite alone, Lord Glisfoyle, and can speak plainly. You love Sarita Castelar, and hope to make her your wife ? " " I decline to discuss her with you, Senor Quesada " "Well, then, I tell you she is pledged to marry me. 'tl QUESADA AGAIN 353 Livenza. I am awat of h '^°"; '°''' ^°''^"^' J"-" •nade with him." '*'* '"'^^^^^ bargain you "I will not allow anyone to take h.r r w.d again, between his teeth th. "^ "*'" ''^ of the tone being his only no;.' * * "'*^ **'"**^"«« are an English noblem T °^ ""^^ ^°''^«- " You courage, wtn ;or:r heTe'la^re^^'^ ' "^^" °^ you struck me. You are nnJl ! * '" ""^ ''°"se, have set everything on that venter n ""^ "'' ^"^ ter's interference, you are free IS' H "^ *° ™^ ''" you, she is mad enough To ?* ' ^.''^*"'* "'^^ 'oves -•th you, knowLrwhar/o^alTo'^"'^ i" '^^''"^ must be kept secret And Z ^"°^' *^'"«^ '''at threaten to rob me of thl ''''"''"'"^ ^*'-°'^« you circumstances,^Tat1.:i^ryr • ^U^^. J"^- ^^^^^^ two men-two enemies, if you w!n „f / '°""*^ ^°'- I are, to pursue ? " will-piaced as you and "If I understand you. I declini. »« ^• proposal." ' *^®ciine to discuss such a "If you are a gentleman and a man of h« not a coward, you will find onN, « °"°"''' ^"^^ tion," he said his rige deepenfnr 'r"'"". '° "^ ^"^- With every sentence.^ni'tr 3^ ' : Teted ""^'^ deliberate insult-an added knot on the la h of h'^'k- ' ter tongue. But r h^rt „., . "' "'S brt- take «rl ^'' '"'' '™P" ">» «" i" hand ,o Sr niji t pi ^|i f 'U^ ,% A . i' ■ mU 354 SARITA. THE CARLISI your power to deal with me officially ; and havi, Too""!? ?K '"''*' *"' '""•'^^ ^hu. in vlin. you fi yourself at bay, and a. a last resource you rememb >our honour with suspicious tardiness, and think of tl means wh.ch the gentleman and the man of honour y< speak of would have thought of first. I will not fi'g with you, Senor Quesada." * "You are a coward, then." •'I don't accept your standards in that matter.'* hr Ju" K V°" ^«^' '"*^'" *»« "'^d ; and, his rag h.s arm to strike me with the back of the hand acros genng back agamst h.s chair, over which he nearly fe' Thmkmg he might have firearms, and that in his ma< fury he would use them, I unlocked the door, and wa leaving the room when he called to me ; but I paid n( heed, and went out. f « •» lea^rn'r^r' ■" ^^Jting^and came when she heard me eavmg. She was paler even than before, like one dis- bottom:; 'r '"' ^"^'^^^- ' ^'^'^^ »^" ^-^ 'he bottom of my heart, and her brother's blunt statement that she loved me, and had been led by that love to in- sist on my freedom even at the cost of ruin to him touched me very closely. ,«l!f *'''"'\*"^ ''°P^ °^ ^" arrangement, senor?" she asked, searching mv face with haggard eyes. ^^ None whatever/ I replied, shaking my head. ^^ i-an nothing bring you two together again ? " It IS absolutely impossible, senorita " flilhT^' as gently as I could, but it was useless to flinch from the truth. " Can I do nothing to prevail with you ? I have «UESADA AGAIN 355 "Kor you, pirsonally. I wonlH H„ . i. you, and you shall not (i„,l 1. , "" *""" <""' « I ^„ . """ ""* ungrateful " I do not ask for thank. • i ,i »l.ouldhav.don.theMmrh;H.f ""' "'°"' "'•"'• ' «Md of Sebastian's " TnH k '"•* '"'" '««° "■'"= '■>■ have done iH b„r-h '^° """•"• "' «"> g'"-! to '"ought onh.p.tro'cr"""' '" " ■■■"■" '- I took her hand, and pressed' them. Sh. r«u™ed?:'""' '" ""'•" ' "■""»-«<'• very n,S ' "" "'""'"■ "" """ ""<«» trembling woIm n:ver havr,„''a7r:«;d f rj" ^r'tl'"' ^O" '- been so different " H„y '"^-"'^ »" would have ."er eyes were'f'uU of Lt^"'"^:^ " ';;">>»^'. -« -pressibly. , said no.hlnl^an^-ft'era 'A'u"" Z -whi^yet. wt:ti:t=:m7:: .""':"T!l\tr:i-; r/-"ceagai„s. even against her." ^ ^ *° "^^ anything-, " Vou can surely prevent that •» t „ • j alarm ..Vouwere'ftrongL'sa^'emV""'''"^''"'' '" «.en.or;tt::ho:r'Vht° 'rr' -= "- '" -y mine, and said cl,y J""" '"^ """' "" "-"s from m J/ MKROCOrV RBOUITION TBT CHAIT (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) A APPLIED IN/HGE Inc ^^R t653 East Moin Strwt ■^^-^ Roch«ttr, N«w Yofk 14609 USA (716) «2 - 0300 - Pt»n« (716) 288 -5989 -Fax . 1 m ! i.i 356 SARITA, THE CARLIST " I can do nothing. You have made him desperate," Aiid with a change of tone, after a slight pause, as though excusing her own hardness of thought and re- solve, she added : " Besides, I do not know where she is ; so I can do nothing, even if I would," With that I left her, and hurried from the house a prey to innumerable harassing fears, the stings and darts of which sent me plunging headlong through the streets to go I did not think where, and to do I did not know what. Sarita was in imminent peril from that reckless, des- perate man, and I alone had to save her. More than once I halted undecided whether to return and take up the challenge he had thrown down, and trust to my own strength and skill to render him powerless to harm her. And in this bewildered state of mind I found myself at the door of my old dwelling, half crazed by the thought that hours at least must elapse before I could use hand or tongue for her protection, and that for all those hours she would be absolutely at his mercy. i ■ 1J CHAPTER XXX SUSPENSE ^ T^fhe'vTaT'h '"'"■'' "^ '■°°"'^ ' P^^"'^«d that they had been ransacked. The trail of the pohce searchers lay over everything. In his eagerness to regam possession of that compromising document which he feared so acutely OuesT h' ! turned his agents loose in my rooms f'a^dThev had done the.r work so thoroughly that the 'condition of the f^acewasasdent but most impressive tribute to their skdl and his alarm. The rooms had been searched from wall to wall ; my trunks had been broken and overhauled; drawers and cupboards had been forced and the contents diligently scrutinised ; not a thing had been eft .n .ts proper place ; and I smiled with a fee, •ng of gnm pleasure that I had had the forethought to put the papers m the safe hands of my friend Mayhew For the action of the police I cared nothing Ld I as I ought need ; and I threw them into a Gladstone bag and earned them over to Mayhew's rooms 1 had too stern a task before me in procuring Sarita's w o" anTT""°"%''°"^'^ *° '""^^ ^'- ^y ^"-^ le I'On; J ^""T^^ ^ '^°"'^ «"^ him at the Hotel down?o Ih' u ' ''""'"^ "'^^"^^^ '"y ^'°thes, I sat down to thmk over matters before going in search of I . ■ t-51 1 f . Iff 1 f. f 353 SARITA, THE CARLIS1 f! 1 i % I i 4 m ■■■*■} II Affairs were in all truth in an inextricable tangle, a very little reflection convinced me that instead of u ravelling them I had made them worse by the course had adopted with Sebastian Quesada. I had committ the fatal blunder of driving him into a corner, ai rendering him desperate enough to resort to any those violent methods which Dolores had said he wou certainly adopt when once his back was to the wall. It was easy to see now what I ought to have dor Belated wisdom is the curse of a fool, I thought bitterl as I realised what my clumsy shortsighted tactlessne had achieved. What I ought to have done was to ha convinced him of my power to ruin him ; have to him even of my influence at the Palace ; and have driv< in upon him with irresistible force that it was in n power to thwart the ambition and ruin the career th were as the very breath of his nostrils to him. Havir done that, I ought to have opened the door of esca] by a pledge to do nothing if he would but give i Sarita. Instead of this I had driven him to desperation, had left him under the conviction that not only could ruin him, but that I most assuredly should do so ; ar had thus given him no alternative but to set his vigo ous energies to work to retrieve so much of hispositic as was possible, and to keep for himself what he prize scarcely less than his position, and what it was alreac in his power to secure— the woman he loved. That he could keep Sarita from me, I could n( doubt. He needed but to lift a finger to have her coi veyed where I might search for her in vain ; and slight knowledge of his resourceful and implacab character was enough to convince anyone that he woul SUSPENSE act both promptly and resolutelv a ^ t , at the thought of the Droh?h ^' ""* ^ shuddered gut oi tne probable consequences tn h«.. thoseofvigorous biter and? ""''""^ '"«"'«" 'he King ; ieas:'„'rsuC^'7r:crr sr '"^' cumulated morcTa ' , ffi '"'" '""^''' "■»<« "<=- Grea.a.„aT:reXS':rtrKL°'''rr'"^"=^ Regent to me, I could scarcely dare "^l-o, I'' '^""" pardon her ; and hence, if I sacceedeH "" u''' *""''' the strong pillars at the hoose orottd •" '^ ''™" •here was too mnch reaso^to f~r th,? t' 'T''''""' ing feu Sarita would he crushed^ 'rl „? '"' """"• lowed Livenza's dl dost s she hl^'r""" ''^'' ""■ ■aave the country ; and whu'ef was tith"her'""'H* .'" influence of our mutual i,.,,- .^ ^^* *"^ the Willingness „ighrhav Z.^:^^ Tf ""T "■='• "•" of her imprisonment wherever .h', ° "-e solitude would have long houk^oVX o^gTLTf had ' ^'■' too much of her infatuated belief Vhlf^ 5 '"" manded she should stay and shirt th" f ," ^"'"'=- who had been misled by her 111 ftted u, "' """' "'r'hrptrr ^"°d" -"■'- ^^'" ~:er '° '^" Jno'c,r crurtf I'uJ"' "^" " ' -""■ ' -uld a n*.rc«« I . ?* " *^'"8:s contributed to make it whTwh .TiS^hr"" "^""^-^ """ -^-tin ' " ' '"''' ""e weapons that might ruin him. hi 36o SARITA, THE CARLIST m ujc; ill! ii he had the means of making thai ruin fatal to me si far as the only object I cared for, Sarita's safety anc well-being, was concerned. As my head cleared from the whirl of mazinj thoughts, the conclusion that I had blundered so badl> in my interview with him became plainer and plainer gradually hardening into the new purpose to return tc him in the possible hope of retrieving the mistake, Such a reopening of matters would look like an admis- sion of w ;akness ; and so in truth it was ; but I had only one object — Sarita's safety ; and that must over- ride all other and lesser considerations. Going down into the street, I drove back to his house, my distaste for the interview increasing with every yard that brought it nearer, and the difficulties of the task looming ever greater, until I am not sure that I was not rather glad when I was told he had left his house, and that the hour of his return was uncer- tain. I did not ask for Dolores, but, getting back into the carriage that had brought me, told the man to drive me to the Hotel de I'Opera. My arrival there was hailed with delight. Madame Chansette and Mayhew were with Mrs. Curwen and Mercy, and, having heard of my arrest, all were deep in anxious diocussion of my affairs when I entered. I gave them a very general and brief account of my doings, and instantly a whole battery of questions was opened upon me. " You look sadly in need of a good square meal," said Mrs. Curwen, always practical ; and she promptly or- dered some supper for me. "At the present rate of running, about another week of this will finish you," she added. 'M SUSPENSE 361 "But how did you get away > " asked Mayhew hart aT"' T'""' """ ">= """>"= Embassy h^ItZ: a^d'Hjavr.cn'or^L^rVh"'"''"'^'''™'""'''"^' pother raised i„ MadrZi be J'f " "="' "" »-" ^ "An order came for my release, and I walked out " ^^ D^o you mean you were actually in prison ? ••'a^red ^i course it II be something unusual Th*.rp'= no musty conventionality about you^r doin's jus^now •• "I wisi A" '"""•" ='^''"' Madamf clnsett:; rested at th, Z- "^ ■*"■■ ™<'^"=- S>>e was a . kerne, orlytroub';e:'"Asfo"2tl!l/::U''n'e,';iVa"« not a much clearer idea than you, Mrs Curwen rJ? ^mething will probably happen' to'-mo^row"" "' "Anrt „r' "' '"" °' "'^'•" ''«' "'""ed quickly And when can we all go away to some safe „n dynamity country ?'• ' ""' mLU'""' ' *"' " ""= '" '""«' "■»' "elter to- " It's all to-morrow, it seems to me And in ,1,. mea„t,medo„.t you think you'd better ^o tow some! wftere? You're about fagged out." " I am too anxious to sleep." "And when was anxiety rdieved by sitting up all lii m I 362 SARITA, THE CARLIST M m ill 'I m ■. ( : i { [ night and worrying w'th it ? There, I've rung the bel and you can tell the waiter to have a room got read instantly for you. We shall all feel easier if we kno you're in the place. I'm sure you can't do anythin to-night, and by the morning you'll have a clear hea( some more plans, and enough energy for another bun of this kind of thing." When the waiter came I yielded, under protest, an ordered a room. " I must have a long chat with Mayhew first," I sai( " Not to-night, if Mercy and I have any influenc with Mr. Mayhew," she returned, and Mercy agree( Then, to my surprise, Mayhew, in a half-shameface but very serious manner, said : " I think Mrs. Curwe is right, Ferdinand." " What, you as well, Silas ? " and as I looked at hii he smiled and shrugged his shoulders. ** No one thinks of questioning Mrs. Curwen's con mands," he answered. "Oh, already? Then I'd better give in, too," an with that I went, feeling indeed the truth of what sb said — that I could do nothing that night. She was right, also, that I was in sore need of res and, despite my anxieties and my declaration that slee would be impossible, my head was no sooner on tli pillow than I fell into deep slumber, which lasted unt a sluggard's hour on the following morning. It wi ten o'clock before I awoke. I found Mrs. Curwen alone, and my vexation at ha^ ing been allowed to lie so late must have shown in m face, for she said directly : " There's no one to blam but me, Lord Glisfoyle. I would not allow you to t called. I don't believe in my prescriptions being ha taken." SUSPENSE 363 "■•w has been here for you and .ri.rt ""• *•'■ ^^y I wouldn't Jet hi„... jrj:vzix'" '" "■" '■ ■"" Observed" "™'"* """"=■■« O"*""-/. " seemV I ™Ue o, some occuirial^""' '"* '"'""' «'"• => e« o" Viends' ^ndT °1 '°°^ ',""""' "« ">« .Uuncb- inflnenoe," slain .• ""«'''""'"' J'"" <•" "aving such hal'dtd •■?'" "" ""' <"«^"" "> ■»-»«=. « properly a..en'r i:'r;r.irc;""; ' -r •" -" '-™ ""-^ glance. ' ' ^'^ "^-ally, and with a " What was the poor man tn rf„ > o well leave us in the^urch IsuppoVe . v:"''"'' ""''' and we'd positively no one else K ^°" "'"^ ^^^y' repeated. "Mercyl not Ulvtrl^'i""/'" ^'^ scare a .an away L. he^^^lX l".f °' ^'^' " e„dl!!?r''- ^'^-t Height be extended to in- sto^p'ed' '° '°" "^^"•" ^'^^ asked quickly, as I "Whom should I mean h.,f " i i- pointedly-.'' Madam, rh -'"oking at her laughed " Chansette, shall I say?" She m m oiii 364 SARIVA, THE CARLIST J- m \ III I u " Yes, we'll say Madame Chansette." *• And yet— well, it doesn't much matter whom ¥ say ; but at any rate he's a thoroughly genuine felloi and — you can fill in the rest. But, by the way, whci is Mercy ? " " She is having a French or Spanish lesson, I think I'll tell you all about it when you've finished your breal fast, and not a minute before. But about Mr. Ma^ he\ tell me, what is he at the Embassy here ? He seems t speak as though he was a kind of mill-horse. Are thei no prospects for him ? Has he no influence to pus him on?" " Yes, he has one, I think I ma^ say two friends no who will see to that. I'm one of the two — and I thin I'm speaking to the other," I said, quietly. "An between us we ought to do something. But he's as prou as Lucifer, and a mere hint that we were at the back ( anything of the kind would make him kick." " If poor A. B. C. were alive " " i ucn, my dear Mrs. Curwen, you would never hav been in Madrid, and would never have known Mayhew. She shrugged her shapely shoulders, smiled, and the said with unusual earnestness : " And will you really U me help you in trying to get him a step or two up th ladder?" "I mean to have him in London, and to mak the people at home understand that he has a head o his shoulders fit for better things. Why, if Silas onl had money to back his brains, there's nothing he migh not do or be. But there, I've finished my breakfast ! I exclaimed, getting up from the table, thinking I hai said enough. " And now, where is Mercy ? " " Will you shake hands on that bargain. Lord Glis ■•i. SUSPENSE 36j became .„oh.crp.«^'d I, „„. !"""•«"«'/. •• 'y««. as I said in «„"„'. ""'«'" '"""«'• woman Who „»„;« sua, Mayh:;™r," '"'l "''•'•' ■n a hundred thousand ,r„. t I ''"' * ''"«''»"<' «nd good right thZ°h "."«• '"'""•■"•arted. straight •prang to her lip,, but ,he chert? uf nH? "'''''^ away, Md: "Sebao.i,n n '^"°'^«"' ". and turning - .^. - gi^u^-rj--- ;:-e^ ::5rh:uXt^:ror.i--'--. an. fo°;o„7h:p2«""l"r. '.'"'''■■ ' "'""'. » I 'eaving^her bSrvWA';! '"" ' ---" -"^. I found Dolore, looking very „hii. „h a mood of deep dejection Sh, ? f. "'"■"• '""" '" wMping together h,,h'. ."'' *'"'=>' "-ad been confldeL f nd col «ion Ti "": "■="'"«' <" •"'=>' other-, tong,.e a„dTl,„' I ' ''■''^ '8™""« of "ch French l^ZlZ^tlT"''' *»''*"'•«= °' "« re.i^« hl'r. ' H^tartTaf • "l^"'"""^- <"> '^^ -" strain of h;r sorrow rj/^f" "-I'- "y the fearful as I entered. ' """'"'=J'' S«"ng up to leave wh'ltTcat"""' """"'"" '"'"f^- «"'=^. but I will do "oio^raflre dooTeS'hrd'^'^'"^'^'" -^=' almost ashamed to come to v„ k' , '^''"'- " ' ""> away. She has toldTe what ' k," '"""' ""' ^'■'" me wnat I knew, ot course, how ,f I 366 SARITA. THE CARLIST ii I'l ', '■ j w. in lit if! good and generous and noble you arc. Cannot you do what I asked you yesterday ? 1 heard of your second visit to us last night, and all through the night — such a night of agony for me — I have been feeding my soul with the hope that you came to make some agreement." " Where is your brother ? I am truly pained to see you like this." •• It does not matter about me ; nothing of that kind can matter now," she answered in a tone deadened by sorrow. " I should not come to you for such a paltry object as my own troubles. It is for Sebastian I am thinking. But you don't seem to understand how I feel, how this fearful thing has shut upon me like the closing walls of an Inquisition prison cell, until whichever way I stretch out my hands I find ruin crushing in upon me," and she moved her hands like one distraught with terror and trouble. " What can I do ? " I asked, gently. " Can't you try and see what all this has meant to me ?" she asked wildly, ignoring my question. " What I suffered when I knew that Sebastian meant to ruin you, to involve you in this terrible Carlist business, to have you proclaimed as Ferdinand Carbonnell, the desperate Carlist leader, imprisoned and sent Heaven alone knew where, to suffer the fate and the punish- ment which such a man would rightly suffer ? What could I do but step in to save you ? You know his reluctance, the struggle we had, the wild words he spoke of your ruining him, and then how he broke his pledged word to me ? And yet to save you meant to ruin him ! Holy Mother of God, what was I to do ? " and she wrung her hands. " I could not see you wronged in this way ; and yet as my reward am I to SUSPENSE 367 mouths of the pomlace? ul "'""' '" *»»« of honour andTXn.c No T f ?' ''' ""'^ that. I know you are just and ho k.' ''°" ' "'*^" with my trouble to .nl?J *"^,*'°"°"''able. I am crazed "Whirl • *° "P^a"^ wch words to you." Where ts your brother ? " man; and what h, win j ■ ?.' " ''^^ « mad- tell?" Th"fea„,h»T ^ '" " """""»• ""» "" I asw' "' ""' '"'"' """' ■■« «. «"« can wcdo,- e-d t He wuHh™ h„ '"' ."anger he fears is at an know him. He s s.e°n C7''°", "'■ ^°" "» ">' posed, but he is n!! H J^ ', '"Placable when op. An ac't iiki .hat'iouVrdrh "';"':k -' *'"'"«■''• .would do anything J a^r. Jl ^ ^t ™;r;r''h'" ...s yon Wish, and I would pledge Cf ThafhTwl'rd b:.'ioo„iS'„o';;i:rd' """""' »— "-piorrg";' -:;;rb«we:n'''u:to ate'ranS'^^' "' '""" '"•' .0 disarm myself and throw aw ".ro?"" "' "" which I can hope to win mTlT I "'^ """"' "'' and sincerely sorrv bT.h'^ ^^^ ' ^^ '"■^' ""P'y •,■! h' ii I rabble to spit upon ! " Her changing mood, as she was swayed first by thoughts for me and then by those for her brother, was painful to witness. " He did not hesitate to have me treated as a criminal, senorita ; he has set me at defiance and refused every- thing I asked ; and I cannot put myself and others at his mercy. But I will do this. Let him set Sarita Castelar free, and stay this Carlist persecution, and I will give up the documents he fears, and say nothing of what I know. More than that I cannot offer you ; and even that must depend upon the senorita being free before I am placed in a position which compels me to take action against him." "jWhat does that mean ? How long will you give me ? I must have time to find him. I cannot do any- thing without time. You are iron to me in your madness for this girl." " Unfortunately I am not free to name any time." I was not. I did not yet know what measures Mayhew had taken, and whether he had communicated with the Palace. My summons to the King might come at any hour and I was compelled to hold myself free to speak all I knew with regard to Quesada in my interview there. At the same time Dolores' acute distress of mind, and the knowledge of what she had done for me, filled me with a desire to help her ; while personally, I was anxious to get Sarita from Quesada's grip at the earliest possible moment, and to leave Spain. Under pressure of these thoughts, I added : " This I can assure you, I would tar rather the matter ended as you wish, and will give you every possible moment of time." " I will go," she answered promptly. " I depend on SUSPENSE 369 ;i '■%. CHAPTER XXXI AT THE PALACE fj f ■ t I \k ■\ ■ !' d ' \\: « Y 'OUR lady visitors call early, Ferdinand," sa Mayhew, rather drily. " Yes, rather embarrassing, isn't it ? B what news have you for me ? What happened yeste day?" " More than enough to prove that you are a perse of considerable importance, I can tell you. When got your message by that exceedingly sharp lad, Jua that you were arrested, I went straight to the chit and within an hour a protest was in the hands of tl Spanish Government, couched in terms calculated i make them sit up, I promise you, and very soon tl whole machinery was at work to get you out. They di nied all knowledge of you, however ; but I expect good deal would have happened to-day if you hadn been set at liberty. I told the chief this morning, hov ever, that you were here, and he wants to see you. An that's about all — unless you want the details." " Did you send any word to the Palace ? " " No, I kept that in reserve for to-day as a broac side, and, of course, I said nothing to anyone about th papers you left with me." " Good ; just as I should have expected from yoi And now, I'm going to tell you the whole mess, an AT THE PALACE 37, just see what's best to be don. •'• ,„h t pre.^f«,..cco„„toreve.nt;;harH'l or shot in mistake—the kind of mistake that does happen at times. His sister ap- pears to have cut that plan short, and naturally he tells her she must get the papers back, if she could. But if she couldn't, it didn't follow that he wasn't quite pre- pared to face you. Don't make the mistake of think- ing he will give up a jot or tittle of any plan he has, whether public or private ; he never has been known to yet, and even you will never make him, strong as your case would be in any other country and against any ether man. It's part of his constitution, my dear fellow. He's got all the energy and resource of a present day American with all the confounded pride and stiflf-necked doggedness of an Old Castile noble. A rummy combination, but the devil to fight." " I shan't give in," I said, firmly. *' And that I take it your advice is that I should." Mayhew shrugged his shoulders significantly. AT THE PALACE 373 I "Z^ "'^''^ '' u'"^""""' '^ ^ "°"'^- I'"" very sorry for I can guess what it means to you ; but you've no chance;" and he shook his head^opelessly " curn we go and see the chief ? " pe'essiy. shall I was closeted with the chief a considerable time I I gave such account of my experiences as 1 deemed advisable, and was questioned and crosLues ..oned, and advised and congratulated in the custZ^ riasfaTrwrr.::^:;-;^;-rtt My answer was an evasive one, to the effect that I wou d go so soon as I had wound up such orivate affairs as I had to conclude in Madrid ^ I rejo.ned Mayhew, feeling both ill at ease and out of temper. A half-day had passed, and I had done nothing toward effecting Sarita's release ; while the hours were flying, and no word came from Dolores My apparent helplessness in other respects increased my anxiety to hear that she had been successful wh her brother ; for I was fast coming round to Mayhew's gloomy view of the position. / cw s Then came another complication. When we went to from thl'p'r '^^'m' ' 'T' ^'^^^^^^ urgent sulmon^ Zl^\l ' l"""' °^ ™5^ '''''' ^"^ "b^r-tion had reached.the young King, and he desired me to go to the Palace that afternoon. I scribbled a note to Dolores ";ii pi I ' '. I' i I m MS 1 1 >*■- ^.1 I'M H! 374 SARITA, THE CARLIS1 Quesada, telling her I could not wait for news from h after three o'clock— the hour appointed for the int« view, and sent Mercy with it, Mayhew accompanyii her. The reply to this put the climax to my anxiety, ran thus : " Alas, my friend, I can do nothing. I have just se( Sebastian, who is now in a quite different mood. ¥ laughs at the thought of your doing him any harr • Let him do his worst. He can but break himself c the wheel of his own efforts ; ' were his words. I ai distracted with misery." I showed it to Mayhew, who read it thoughtfully. " It could not be worse," he said. " He has put th senorita in a safe place, and is going to play the trum card that I was sure he had in reserve somewhen You should have accepted his challange and shot hin Only one thing can beat Quesada— and that's death. '• I will do my best all the same," I answered ; an in this mood I set out for my interview at the Palace revolving on the way all the possible expedients that Could adopt to win even part of my purpose agains the powerful enemy who held his way with such grin tenacity and inflexible resolve. My reception at the Palace might have flattered evei Royalty itself. When I was ushered into the presence the young King came ruuning to me, laying aside al attempt at dignity, and smiling with pleasure as h( held out his hands liked a pleased child. " My Englishman of Podrida, at last ! " he exclaimed and he led me to the Queen Mother, who was gracious ness itself. "You have kept the words of gratitude too lonr }• r: AT THE PALACE 375 prisoners in my heart, my lord. The Queen would S hT' 'r ^^%"°'*>«^'« ^'eart is too full L any thmg but welcome for the man who saved her son " h.c V'""''^"'' ^*J*^«*'« ''ill pardon me. The delay urgency." '° """ ^^ '"" °^ *^-^'« - of wish to hear it agam from you. I am so anx ous to know all that I would have the tale even before your yrt:di:;:i7.^^^^^'^^^^-'^---^-usr^^^^ J!h ^ri ^^' ""^'^ ^'''^' "y '°''^'" ^"ed the King wuh all a boy's eagerness, bringing it out of a pocket The story ,s a very simple one, your Majesty" I said and then in as few words as I could, I toW it now T, "'' ''' ''°"^' ""^"^•°"' questioning me now and agam on such points as interested her most or where she wished greater detail ; and whr i descnbed how the King was seized aid earned into the carnage and again how I had found him fastened down and d.sguised, she clasped the boy to her, and her changmg colour and quickened breath crave evidence of her concern and emotion. " A"d you were alone through it all ? " she exclaimed when I finished. ' "Fortune favoured me or I could not have succeeded Madame. Had not the t>yo men following the carriage' met with an accident, I could have done nothing As It was, the surprise of my attack did what no strength of arm or skill or wit could have accomplished " " Do not call it fortune ? It was rather the hand of Heaven guarding my dear son's safety, and you were the chosen instrument. And should you know those iS» I i 's i h< I ■' i I i1; !%■' «■ .Hi V li : ' i| '* 1- \ .' 'It ■ '• : 1 k 376 SARITA, THE CARLIST miscreants again ?" Her tone hardened and her eye flashed, as she put the question ; and I thought then could discern the feeling which had had as much to dc with her impatience at my delay in coming to tht Palace as her desire to thank me. She was burning with all a Span ard's hot eagerness for revenge. But il was not my cue to strike at the agents, and my reply was guarded. "It is possible that if they were face to face with me, I could identify them ; but the thing was hurried, the work of no more than a few moments, and my English eyes are not sufficiently accustomed to distinguish between Spanish faces." " Ah, I am disappointed," cried the Queen, frowning. "But I can do more than identify the men who actually did the ill-work, Madame ; I know by whose hidden hand the wires of the plot were pulled." " Tell us that, and you will add a thousand times to the obligation that Spain and we owe you, my lord," she exclaimed, strenuously. "Who is the arch- traitor?" "I shall have need of your Majesty's patient indul- gence." "And you will not ask it in vain. Lord Glisfoyle, if you do not seek it for these villainous Carlists, who would have robbed me of my son and dealt this foul blow at Spain." Then with a quick thought, she asked : " But how comes it that you, an English nobleman, here in Madrid no longer than a few weeks, can have learnt these things ? " I believe I could detect a touch of suspicion in her manner; and the King looked up sharply into her face and then across at me. "By i coincidence in regard to my name, your AT THE PALACE ^-^ fh!l?'J- \ 'rV^ ^'^'•'^ ^"' ^ ^'^'^^^ ^'-"^ ago to join ^f^ ''! .'^"''''^ '^'"'^^^^y ' I ^^« "°t then Lo d GLsfoy e ; and by a chain of coincidences some of the plans of the misguided Carlists became known to me •' my son P "''" '°" '"'" °''''^ '"^-^"^^^ P'«' «S-"»t andluchir''- *'''*y»/"'°°"" and reports, Madame, and such gossip was, of course, current in yourcapitalJ and Xi '' ° p °"T' "^" ''"°^" toyouf Governm ;^ and officials. But th.s was different; and the definite ttf 'T r "' "' ' '•'"^ ""^ '" ^ '^'^ -»>ich made LT'' '' '°' "^' '° ^"' °^h«^^'^« than as I did " she bit r '°" "^"^ ''^"' '' "°' ^°^^ ^"^%ie ? " fathlr.-''^'"'"'^ Carbonnell, the younger son of my late « Ferdinand Carbonnell ! Ah, then » the sen ence remained unfinished, and I stood in silence watch-" Z ttugh't.""'"^ '°^ ''^ ^°°^^"^^- ' -'^ ^"e- "Ferdinand Carbonnell is a well-known Carlist leader. Lord Glisfoyle." and she spoke in a tone tha augured but ill for my success. "And for that Carlist leader I was mistaken, your Majesty, and working through that strange mistake Providence enabled me to rescue your son from a f'; worse fate than that which any Carlist ever designed. In following this strange double career I carried my life m my hands, risking misunderstanding at the hands of your Majesty's agents, and putting my life to the hazard of any Carlist discovery of my real character." You cannot doubt him, mother," cried the Kine protestingly. "«' i -• I y I ■< ': 378 SARITA, THE CARLIST I " You have said too much or too little, my lord, beg you to speak frankly." " I wou:i ask your Majesty by whose advice it was that your son came to be in such a case as made this attempt possible ? " I said ; and the question went home, for she started quickly. " By the advice of my Ministers, who felt that our confidence in the people should be shown in a way which all could see for themselves. Do you propose to arraign my Government on a charge of treason ? " "I do not arraign your Government as a whole, your Majesty ; but what if it were proved to you that one of them, discontented with his present power and influence, great though they be, had aimed to make them greater ; had thought that under the Republican form of Govern- ment there were wider scope for his ambition ; and had planned, therefore, a double stroke of policy— say, for instance, the removal of your son from the Throne, using the Carlists for his purpose, and at the same time preparing to crush their power when he had used them, employing the very pretext of the plot as the cause of his drastic measures of repression ? What if the- be a man in your confidence who designed to overthrow the Monarchy, and climb on the ruins of the Throne to the place of supreme power in the country as President of a Republic to be proclaimed ? What if these plans were all laid and settled in every detail ; and yet made with such consummate skill and shrewdness, that even the crumbling of the corner-stone— this attempt on His Majesty— still left him higher, firmer, and stronger in position and influence than ever ? What if the subtle organisation by which this Carlist rising has been crushed almost in a day was the outcome, not of a AT THE PALACE 379 th. more dangcrou. ? •• ' "" """' '"'P'^e. «Xrb::?H%"c:rTri7 •*"'"» "-'" pale when I ended. ^°"" *" ''">»" ben.«"ur°°' """ ""' <"^ ""^ '»«". 1 canno, Sebastian QaeLa •• ''°''"'"' Mi"»'er-Senor Tbeinten« in,p;e«ion ereatl^"" '"'^l' ''"' ''»" ' " ened me to go I .So f!r^tV'"=''"«'' "»"»'<'• o«.. The Queen wL 'ra';i.::.Vtd th °" "" King so deeply and keenly mlv^^h "" ''°°"« could not fail to Je -t ., ! ' '"^ '""^- ">" I request I p^' whi e" hTj" e'e't'thT" 'T" '» '"^ in« n,y fortune boldly ij ^,h ha„rt. - ""^ ' '"" "'• everything on the chLce of mXIn Ah," "^ '° "'" charge against Quesada. MayL^'s «1 °fT' ""' dent caution recurred to me bu, L """P™- to everything save the om 1 7 "" *"' ""' swayed me. absorbing purpose that unde^Pr^vliZTlrab,:?"^" °V' ''^^' ""- bands Of his enemieTto promis'^to """ '""" "■' request as I might preJer. 'C^Ma L^.o d^t S F-^ - t I .i >i ' li li ili 380 SARITA, THE CARLIST gracious sympathjr at the mention of my cares at anxieties, expressed the generous desire to help m May I entreat you then, remembering what I have don to grant me a favour should I malce good my word and bring home to the real traitor this treachery again your august family and your throne ? " " You would make conditions, my lord ? " '* Your Majesty, I am but a suppliant." "What is this favour?" " That your Majesties will be graciously disposed 1 pardon the unfortunate dupes who have been misled t the man who has used them for his own purpose ? " *' It is impossible. Lord Glisfoyle, utterly impossibl Yon cannot mean this. Stay, I have heard a possib reason for this strange request. I have heard yoi name coupled with one of the most daring of these Ca lists — a Senorita Castelar — ^by whose influence we a: told Ferdinand Carbonnell, the Englishman, took i the rdle of Ferdinand Carbonnell, the Spanish Carlis H?s this anything to do with this favour you ask ? " '' Your Majesty, the dearest wish of my life is tomal the Senorita Castelar my wife ; as the farthest thougl of hers would be to make me a Carlist. I trust th my acts have shown this for me, rendering mere pr tests needless." " Mother ! " cried the young King, eagerly, like tl staunch little champion of my cause that he v. as. " These are matters of deep state importance, and v cannot follow only our inclinations," said his mother rebuke ; and the tone was hard and unpromising. " M cannot make any such promise as a condition ; but you prove your charge — and put to the proof it mu be — the double claim you will have upon us will mal it hard to resist whatever you ask. I can say no more AT THE PALACE 38, «ood™Vworc.:„'oT.„tr«"' ,2"' ' •'" ■""■« compromisine Inter. !„ A J. '" "" "■" »>« '«"».h .nd With .H ^lib . d«ln .i"" *■" " ««" To this narrative the llitennl .ul «rOKed attention than to m. f *"" ■""« «"• «»cue ; and a. lV™t! k '^ '""'" ™« "' ">« .on'. ".cm t^l. I Wt'thluwaTw' "' T' •"'"' "" «" reluctant y «,d dlad Llwi""'"* ^" '" "'' 'W' •" ister'. favour untH .ht^ ,^ ,''"^'""« '" "" Min- of «.. mn^'i^Xr ;": d' te'rV^r "" '"""' thai eventful afternoon hIJ h "^ °' «""<'» •■> himwlf. " '"' *"'" "Wested by Q„e„da b.^u;d:irit:5'ie:v: ::rr"" r- '«■■"« - ™. .nd jrad^UypXt^j; -et '^^ '"»'■■«' gation .hall ^ e.Ta„Z ot T7 "?"' <" '"««'• And now •• she had »» , '"" ■""' "^ "o""- came an interrnntton iT " """ '''"° "«™ a- in-mediaraTrcets' e":rd\7ne'"7fh'" f " "?"" "'f «« »" a -tter of the d«;;. "t^e^cy"- awailherTasure J„'""''""='° " '""■""'■» •» done; and asTl ,v?- "'""='' """ "''« I ^ad r- £ ff "-re»^-»: r:-'L -."-.rUn^-«rs^rh„^-^^^ ^r J i !l 382 SARITA, THE CARLIS that, and the number of people in the great cham increased largely, all talking together in clusters, sea in looks and excited in manner, although subdued tone. Presently the infection of the general excitem spread to me, and looking about me I caught sight one of the two officers who had come to me at Hotel de I'Opera on the night of the King's resc Colonel Vasca, and I went up to him. "Is there any special news to cause this comr tion ?" I asked, when we had exchanged greetings. "Is it possible you have not heard it ? The Minis of the Interior, Senor Quesada, has been assassinai within the last hour in his own house." " Quesada dead ! " I exclaimed in profound astoni ment. And then by a freak of memory Mayhe' words recurred to me—" Only one thing will ever b< Quesada— and that's death," "How did it happe Who was the assassin ?" I asked. " Some villain of a Carlist, it is believed, in reven for the blow which the Government have just struck them. But they will pay a heavy price for so fou deed." My heart sank within me at the news. I realised an instant what it must mean to my poor Sarita a everyone leagued with her, and I went back to t seat overwrought and half-distracted. She had inde sown the wind to reap the whirlwind, and I could 11 hope to save her. When at length the summons came for me to retu to the Queen Regent, I followed the messenger almc like a man in a dream. tit! 1; CHAPTER XXXII UVENZA'S REVENGE THE young King was no longer with th. n ,, gent when I entererl ,. f V 7 ^ ^"^^" ^e- of the chief AI Ss " i °""' '"° ^'^ ^^^-^ with her. ^""'sters of State in conference the fact that it had fl::rj,iTr ^'''"' 'y ness upon the heels of mv .h dramatic swift- ful and favourite Minister ^^^' ^^^'"'* ^^^ P^^er- M^'«^:l^^^^^"'<^eed,LordO^^^^ " I have learnt kwfthfnT'°" °" '"^^ ^"^'•^"^e. ante-chan,be,y:u:Maj::t;» ^ '^" "^'""'- '" the " I have told my lords her,, th. . brought against Senor Que Ida " ""*^' "t""*^" I""" them?" VJuesada. Do you still maintain -luesU Jep^rto'thet':"' ''t''-'." "". " her re- " 1. is certainly Imo t eSrH *" ' '"'' "'" "'f"-- of them, the Duke oTnLT [.""' "°'J''" «'" »"= •--;^sugge:.ei:^s.r;Ciir"'"^ plans without anyone of hi^^^r """=" '" ''y^" ">«= ^ t ::;.f 384 SARITA. THE CARLIS1 m u » 1 lii f . ii'i III:' ' "A H*" ^-n :i;:; papers are secured in time, they will yield abunds proof of everything." The hint was acted upon once, and messengers were despatched to see that t1 was done. " Can you throw any light upon the motive for tl deed ? " asked the Duke. " I have not heard the actual circumstances, but t Minister was a man who had made many enentii private as well as public. I should look for the mi derer among his private enemies." And even as spoke, my own words prompted a thought, and t closing scene at Calvarro's farm flashed across my aiir " Do you mean you would not set this down to Cc list feeling ? " he asked next, in the same tone of u belief. " It was an act of private revenge, no more and i less," I answered firmly, " and I believe that I can fii the means to prove it so." The suggestion was w( come to all present. The murder of a colleague fro private motives was obviously a far less disturbir event to Ministers than an assassination designed as protest against Ministerial policy. But the Duke w; none the less hostile to me. " Her Majesty has informed us that your lordsh has gone so far as to request an amnesty for these Ca lists as the return for the services you have rendere to the nation and the Throne by the rescue of t\ King. But you will of course understand that, now i any rate, such a request cannot be conceded," " His Majesty himself gave me a pledge that sue favour as I asked should be granted," I returned. " His Majesty is too young to understand the neec of policy, my lord ; and the pledge was given befoi LIVENZA'S REVENGE 385 thi^^had occurred. Everything is changed by such a re ™b£;; '^ "°' '°° ^°-« '- '^-P his word." I « I have your Majesty's gracious assurance that in the event of my proving the charge. I have brought I LtT '°"'' '' ''-' '° resist Latev^rThe^/ou; "You surely cannot think of pressing this now" was her reply, with a dash of surprise. ^ ' ''' Most respectfully I must press it with all the power y ur M^VTamr 1 ' ^"' ^'^' ^" -bmistirS In^J^V ^' ''°""'' *° '^3^' ' <=an prefer no other Srli^rrrageT" '''''' '' "° ^-^'^^^ ''^^^ '- My firmness was altogether unwelcome, and the Queen and her Ministers showed both irritation and Z r ^7.^^";^^-"- But I cared notl^ng f^' that. I was fightmg for what I believed would be the one certam method of winning Sarita and removing her last objections, and I would not give way. "Your solicitude for these miscreants is out of place my lord, and what you ask is a sheer impossibilitv '' sa.d the Duke, haughtily. "Any further insistence must, as you will see, wear a curious look These l?f f.^'^iu"" '^^ '"' ''^''°" ^^^^"«« their first plot failed. This second stroke has not failed " " Had the man who has met this tragic death suc- '■■1 ■ > f p I i i K* 386 SARITA, THE CARLIST ceeded in his project, my lord Dulce ; if the younj King were not only abducted but put to death ; if tht Monarchy had been overthrown and a Republic pro- claimed in its place ; if Her Majesty here were an exile from her kingdom, yourselves in danger, and the country in the threes of a bloody revolution, would you have deemed it then too great a price to have paid for the stroke which would have prevented everything ? That was what the rescue of the young King meant, nothing less ; and it will not be affected by Senor Quesada's death, if I can prove it to have been a pri- vate act. But as you will," I said, indignantly, after a moment's pause, " I trusted to the royal pledge, and if you, my lords, advise that the royal word of honour shall be broken, I, of course, can say no more. May I crave your Majesty's permission to withdraw ?" It was a bold stroke, but it did more to help me than hours of argument and wrangling. At the mention of her son's death the Queen winced and grew suddenly pale, and came over at once to my side. " What Lord Glisfoyle urges is true, gentlemen," she said, " and he who saved the King, my son, cannot be allowed to find my ears deaf to his plea. What you ask. Lord Glisfoyle, shall be granted, if you can prove this crime to be no Carlist outrage, and if my influence and my son's will stand for aught in the councils of Spain." She spoke proudly and almost sternly, and the others were as much discomfited as I was elated. " I beg your Majesty to pardon my frankness of sp. ch," I said, with the utmost deference, " and to accept my most earnest and heartfelt gratitude. I believe that already I know where to look for the man who has done this, and with your permission will at I " Ml LIVENZA'S REVENGE 387 °^ZT,-:^7ZZt IV -' "-- •-' po"- Of ^^^tLt^^Z^^^ ^^e news and I found them all in r^. '^^""^^^ ^^^ ^^tel, full of anxiety to ,ea h. '"°°,'^ °^ ^"^ ^°"^«^". -"d at the Palace ' '''"'' °' '"^ '<^"& interview S^^lZslTon ' ""'r^' "^^P* ^'^-^ I have Ln who kUled Q^^^rinTn "■°"-*'^' ^ ^^^^ ^'^^^ a Carlist assassination.^ ^ ' '' "^"''^^'" ^"^ "«' "But you cannot," cried Mayhew "If. .11 city that » »/"cw. it s all over the " I can and will," I broke in « P„f r ♦ fellow. Important document! n '*^"' ""^ '^^^'' Palace in a few m" nutes T .^ '""^^ '° "^ ''•°'" ^^e house, and I wirhvou ;« l^-'" ^^^ ^^ "°^ ^o Quesada's instan't they arr fe ''and wh? ! '" '° "^ ^^^^ ^^e ment I was'hur^yL awav whe° "'"'"^ ^"^^'^^'^ "- "Let me come'w.^h;:^; F erdin"and"'T?f' = will be in such sorrow." ' '''^'"^"^- That poor girl "A good thought, Mercy. Quick-" an^ away together. ^ ' ^"^ ^« ^^ove But at Quesada's I met with a check Th. .• were ,n possession of the house and would not ^H ' me, though I urged and insisted and sTormedTn t Senor Rubio was there in nh. stormed in turns, was there m charge, and nothing would :: f ; I l\ i N I! I 1 HI- i'Jl ' - h 388 SARITi^, THE CARLIST move him. There was no option, therefore, except to await the arrival of the necessary authority ; and scrib- bling a hasty note to the Duke of Novarro to tell him the state of matters and to urge despatch, I sent Mercy with it to the Palace in search of him. Then I tried to curb my impatience while I waited, and to occupy the time I made an examination of the outside of the house in the possible hope of some dis- covery which might help me. I was thoroughly convinced that the murder was the act of Juan Livenza, and that I should find he had been at the house and had seen Quesada. I could not get a single question answered, however, and even my scru- tiny of the exterior of the house and the grounds brought police interference. But this was not before I had seen that which set me thinking hard. The window of the library in which I had last seen Quesada, the room he chiefly used, over- looked the garden at the rear, and one of the panes of glass was broken. An examination of the stonework underneath it, and of the ground immediately below, revealed marks which seemed to tell me how such a deed might well have been committed. One or two branches of a shrub close to the wall were broken and bent, and one of the stones, which projected beyond the rest sufficiently to afiford a precarious foot- hold, was slightly chipped and scraped on the edge. It was just such a mark as might have been caused by a man standing on it to look into the window, and on making the experiment I found that a man of Livenza's height, which was about my own, could easily have grasped the stone sill, looked into the room, and fired a revolver through the broken pane. LIVENZA'S REVENGE 389 He;at c„ce i„ search „, I.o,„.es whneT,^.Lr,' quickly as possible." "" "'^""■' a"" as the floor havmt. dropped out of his chair whefe he h«H pote-rc:n;rrA t S his own head to indicate the place. ° ''How do you suppose it happened ? » .a.!: .— '^zz. ^:. ^:-" -trr indeed ; and yet he was dead tL Car" j "° '°-" ' obtained admission to the houJe see/eu^ TTh''' escaped as they came " ^' ^""^ ^^^« H.poi„.ac„uhespo."r^t~^-f-^;• '^ lil (i:.^ I, I I • W' i i ? ' ' I 11 390 SARITA, THE CARLIST a moment ; " and, much wondering, he took his seat at Quesada's writing table. I stood on the side away from the window, and a glance was enough to show me that his head was in a direct line with the broken pane of glass. " Was the window fastened ? " I asked. " Yes, I myself examined it." " That broken pane of glass ? " " It was broken by his Excellency himself to-day, and he had given orders for the repair of it." The answer surprised me, but a moment's reflection showed me what might have happened. " How came it broken, and when ; do you know ? " " How, I do not know ; but it was done when Colonel Livenza was here to-day, closeted with his Excellency. They were, as perhaps you know, senor, closely asso- ciated together." There was a furtive, half eager, half alarmed, and wholly cunning look on Rubio's face, which sent the thought flashing upon me that he could say a good deal of Quesada's private matters if he pleased. " I know much more than you think, Senor Rubio. These two were close friends, you say ; did they part to-day on friendly terms ? " " I was not here, senor," was the guarded reply. But I could read the facts without his help. Livenza had come to demand an explanation, and intended, no doubt, to wreak his revenge on the spot. There had been a quarrel, and probably some kind of tussle, in which this window had been broken. Livenza hiad for some reason abstained from shooting Quesada there and then ; but he had been quick to see that if he left, and went round to the back of the house, he could fire LIVENZA'S REVENGE 39. flrraation of .hi, theory by7„e«Lii/,h ' '°"" who had seen his masfer aV, tiv. f l^ad I^H'' house, a^d had no.iceU .ha. h. was '^LuX ^ciJe'd Jn''":a:d • Vt "'' "° r "" ■" » <"•«■>' ^"o' had cn neara , but the room had double dooM nnrj •hco.y, a„d'whi.T;asSR:bi'o tt"* ""' ""^ with thp ««;«• 1 ^ubio, Mayhew arrived his atSsion!""'""' """" '" "'■"' »"" '"'^ '—■ i mrn:,;!',;*" ' "" '" "'"' ""'• """•" *■' --«« s^£i"5-HF-"^ thrslrde"?"'"' """"• '"'^<"' -^P«« a/yo„e'of Hi': 'Ltt„c7;Hfe'''ja''rrL''"''"' °^ "°- by .hem." "°" "'='" ""« at.emp.ed " Put .ha. idea ou. of voor heart Tti. crime, and we have .o bZ it home ,„,hT ' ''r"' Where is Senorita Cas.ela^r" 7 p„.le "■""■'""■ abrup.ly, and look, i a. him fixedly. ^He s.ar.'eTv uneasily. ' ^ started very " She could not do it." "I am perfectly aware of that, but I must know at Hi f it' ill ' i .1 1** m •f Ml I I 392 SARITA, THE CARLIST once where she is. Understand, your future will depend upon your answering me frankly. You know quite well where she is, for you have been Senor Quesada's instru- ment in all that business. When you arrested her at the station yesterday, where did you take her, and to what p'ace did you remove her afterwards ? " " She was taken to the prison of San Antonio, and afterwards removed by his Excellency's orders — I don't know where." " I don't believe you," I said, bluntly. " I know you are lying, indeed, and if you don't tell me the truth on the spot, the first use I'll make of this authority will be to have you clapped into gaol yourself, and the whole of your private papers searched. And you know as well as I what we shall find among them. I'll give you two minutes to choose." " I don't know, senor, I don't, upon my soul ; and, by the Holy Saints, I swear I don't," he cried, eagerlyi panic-stricken by the threat. "One of your minutes is gone. Silas, call up a couple of the gendarmes ; " and Mayhew turned to the door. " Stop, senor, stop for the love of Heaven. I don't know. I wish to help you ; I swear I do. But I'm innocent of everything. Give me time to think." " Your innocence wears a strange dress, Rubio, and I won't give you another second." " I can tell you what I think, senor," said the bully, trembling like a child. " It is most likely his Excellency would have had the senorita taken to a house at Escorias, which I believe he had prepared for her." " If your thoughts are wrong you'll find yourself in a LIVENZA'S REVENGE 393 •• Mofk.. e . °"' '" any way ? " Mother of Angels. I believ* i • made out and hanH^n ♦« ^"'"lei. a warrant was further instr"uttions tf e^^^^^^^ *° -'* for afternoon his Excellency r?ng"^'/p ;'%rt:unh''''^ -his instrument is on the tahu ZrF telephone was speaking to me wher ' h^ ' ^°" """""^ »>« suddenly. He had^ot T* f '''\"^««^«e broke off and execute the wamnt I ^ '' ''"'~' ^° *° ^^<=°"-« — •Thereitsto^^^randfrrn,^^^ Sharp noise I couKit " n L'Ta^^^^^^^^ thing was wrong with the wir s "fwa U SZ l""" speak again, and when nothing came thrn k r ™ *° to him and rang the bell Bu^ T^m "^^ ^ 'P^'^*' and in the end thought tbeftoV ^"l "° ""^^^^' further instructionf i .h t T'' '^^ '^ ' ^°"^e for senorita removed aiin Vh"""^' '^^ ""'^^^ ^'^^ the « TK """^ea agam, and came up to see " ir !^'l i;! li,. ■ ' ' ' *»' «.!-, urn 394 SARITA, THE CARLIST Bada's stable to be put in at once, and while waiting foi them, told Mayhew what I wished in regard to the dea( man's papers. As soon as the carriage came, I tool Rubio and one of his assistants with me, and orderec the coachman to drive at top speed to Escorias. Everything seemed clear to me now, and this unex- pected development filled me with a new fear foi Sarita's safety. Livenza, full of his wild passion foi revenge, had gone to Quesada, and a fiery intervievi had taken place between the two, in which the Minis- ter's old ascendancy over the weaker man had so fai asserted itself, that the latter had b-*.en unable to carr) out his purpose in the room. He had either discovered, or Quesada, with the probable object of pacifying him, had told him where Sarita was detained, and had ver> likely suggested that he should go and take her away at once — calculating with diabolical cunning that the temptation to Livenza to see her again and have her in his power, would prove irresistible. In this way the Minister had saved his life for the moment, and when Livenza had left, Quesada had planned to have him arrested. In the meantime, the murderer had seen his way to achieve both his purposes — to kill his victim secretly, by shooting him from the garden, through the broken window, and then to rush off to Sarita. He had thus probably heard the broken telephone message be- ing spoken, and at the dramatic moment when Que- sada's attention would be fixed on the telephone and his ears covered by the receivers, the shot had been fired with instantly fatal results. So certain was my belief in my theory, and so vivid the impressions I had gathered, that I could picture in my thoughts every step and act in the progress of the LIVENZA-S REVENGE 3,s l»ng of ,larm. * " *"*^ "» "'«"> " Mute h.» Q««da,.„d whoc„„,d .ly^;" "'f, "/ "" """• <" s^e.,.dX^d";u;r:e7o;:i'i> way to her no» thLv '"'='^«<'«' i» 'orcing dead, /h.,. H„', 2'h I h.r " """'' """ ">«'" waf violence f "'^ ' """" >" «■<»■'<« P'ace to hi. dHveXtron'rs:''th'jurd\" 'r'" '» ^ and madness; he had oassL ,s v """" """^ crUisofacutemenulshoeTwithrth T""."^" ""' and it was more than probable ,h^.. ?' ''" "='" ^ »» had just committed te'f°h:'a«ofn'""i"°°'' opp^tsr'stiif ho. "::'1TJ: "r "' '"-" ■»"- w«^re not in time to savl hTr H' ^""''- "^ '" "' --orher. z^nrht^rirShir; ;'., ' k V ' 1 ;: ■ '■'''' f;t m i iM §> Iff if 396 SARITA, THE CARLIST and the thought maddened me until in my burning im- patience I could not sit still, but thrust my head out of the carriage-window to urge the driver constantly to fresh exertions, although we were already travelling at headlong speed. I was on fire with eagerness, and racked with alarm at the looming possibility of failure, even when all had gone so well. ili CHAPTER XXXIII THE HUT ON THE HILLSIDE NO speed that the driver comIh mettlesome horses la. « ^ ^ """^ °^ '^^ pace with my fears or to '"^^^^'^ ^° ^^^^p of my alarms. ^ ' °' *° ^^s« the pricking ^o^rar^e^-^^^^^^^^^^^^ -d wherel had along, bumping, jolting and swa^yi^i? ^"^ ^^ ^^ ^^w road at the gallop, da^shing dortrrTn-^ '^' '^vel h'ils, I could measure thf Tl 1 ^"''°« "P ^^^ spots which were fixed in mv'. k^ ^'^^ ^'^^^^nt of that memorable ride! ^"'^ ^^ '^"^ '"*='^«ts "How far is it beyond Podrida?" r . . havmg to shout the Qu«f.v^^ * ^ ^^^^^ ^^"bio, amid the clatter and racket „T.h-T^ "^^^^'^ heard " At this pace, half Thllr' c ^°'?^ '''"'^^' ; If we reach there without"' sma^" '^ '''^' '" ^•-^«- to lean out once more and shouttn /k .^ ^"'^"'" ^^^ and then I threw myself back in 1 "'''" '" '"''^y ' arms, and yielded myself up anew tZulT' '°"^' "^ distracting thoughts. ^ *°'"^"''« of my I tried to estimate how long a start T ; have of us, how far he could Z I "'*'"^^ ^°"'d time he would have for the it /" '^'"""' ^"^ ^^at formed, whateverlhat mithr, ?" "' '''' P'^" ''^ ^ad lation alarmed me ^ '' ^"^ ""^ '°^*^«t calcu- rs M 398 SARITA, THE CARLIST f;;'!' The murder had been committed about two hours and a half before I had got to Quesada's house ; I had been there about one hour ; and thus Livenza would have three and a half hours* start of us. From this we might deduct the time he would spend in Madrid before set- ting out for Escorias ; but as he would be in fear of discovery, I dared not hope that he would remain a minute longer than would be necessary to procure a horse or some kind of conveyance. His own horses would be at his immediate disposal, of course ; and if he had had them at hand, he might have started the instant after he had shot his enemy. This would give him quite three hours' start, even allowing for the quicker pace at which we were following in pursuit. And in three hours what could he not do ? There was, of course, room to hope that he might have had to return to his house to make some prepara- tions for his flight ; and I harassed and worried myself with a hundred speculations about this : whether he would not have gone to Quesada's with everything in readiness for flight ; or whether he had thought that he would be taken at once, or even killed by Quesada, and had thus set his affairs in order before going. To speculate on his actions in such a case, was, however, of no more value than to count the waves on the sea- shore; and I got no further than an ever-consuming desire for yet greater speed. " Close there now, senor," cried Rubio, at last, look- ing out of the window into the gloom. "A few minutes." *' Thank Heaven for that," I exclaimed, fervently. " And that we've escaped a smash at that mad pace." We had left the high road, and were going less rapidly HUT ON THE HILLSIDE 399 added. ' ^"'"f " '■= » »'"d night," h. some distance from the V„, , ' *'""' '">' ""'k carriage drive. " ^'°"« * ""8h, ill-kept "It's evidently all right senor If happened we should see some signs of'u'"'i:^ """ companion, as he knocked loudly I „ J 1 ^'t T door, and touched his forehead «h. ^"^"^ ">' "Good evening, Carlof llrte" tr?- »''"'"'' ''"'"°- ad«pj=lr;eir° = ''^"^^"''-"'' '•>-••«<. " The senorita is well, Carlos ? " •■No visro'r'sT" ''"'"°' '"' '" """-s." " Y°sTe„o ; r^T, "" '"=="• <^-"ally. has beeVhere "■ °"" '"""^'^ '™™ "is Excdiency. whif;;;":;::;!,"''"' '- -n>Hse. .. rei, „, ,„ick,y, .he"s?„„ra.' He brS: T '"" ^^"'■'"^^- '° - and he was with her abf' har» "k'^'"' ""^ '^ '"'"• " How long ago was that '•' "'"•' "' ""^ ""■• ^ """^^^^'Cttr^^^^r^^^^^^^^ '-" A ts 1: 400 SARITA, THE CARLIST m " No, wait, please," I answered, following the man upstairs, my heart beating quickly at the thought of seeing Sarita again. He went up to the floor above, the rooms of which were shut off from the staircase by a door which I saw had been recently placed there. This he unlocked and stood aside for me to pass. "The first door on the right is the sitting-room, senor," he said, respectfully, and I went to it and knocked. Getting no reply, I knocked again loudly ; and again failing to get any response, my fears, that after all something was wrong, began to revive. I knocked a third time, and still getting no answer tried to open the door, and found it locked on the inside. I called Sarita, loudly, by name then, knowing my voice would re-assure her, and when no response came, I tried the othp'- doors and found them locked like the first, on the inside. I called up Rubio then. " Does the senorita generally lock her doors ? " I asked Carlos. " I have never known her to do it before, senor." " Something is wrong ; we must break our way in ; " and I sent Carlos down at once for tools. " What can it mean ? " he said, in a tone of dismay ; and as soon as the tools were brought he set about forcing an entrance. " Did you see the senorita after Colonel Livenza left ? " I asked the man. * My wife did, senor. She said she was tired, and complained of a headache, and that she would go to bed early, and asked us to keep the house quiet and not disturb her." " She has gone," I exclaimed, as the meaning of it all HUT ON THE HILLSIDE 40, roshed „p„„ „e. " He brought with him the mears for her .0 escape and under some pretext induced her to And so it proved. The rooms were empty • and an TIT. ""'J""' '"'"" """S => """"'O --oi^ fastened had bet i '." "'""'^ '"""«•■ "^^ «'" « "pe had been made. For a moment my heart sank with d,smy at the sigh. ; but I rallied under press'e o "h' need for instant action. "We must follow and find them," I said, promptly ' Which way can they have taken ? It is clear thThl' nduced her to escape, and while they were together they were making these preparations. He left about a„ hour ago, and as the senorita had then to complete her arrangen^ents she cannot have been gone very long How can we trace them ? " A question to Carlos suf-' ficed to show that they must have left by the lane we had come ; for it led nowhere but to the house. Thiy had not passed us on the road, and it was clear, there- Z^% i ^^ ""'' ^^""^ '""^^ •" '^^ opposite direc- tion from the capital. Ji;^? ^T ''''' ^°"" '" *^* ^^^^''e, and I had these saddled, and rode off with Rubio, ordering the carrLge with Rubio s assistant to follow us at such pace as the coachman could get out of the smoking, lathered ani- mals who had brought us so well from Madrid At first the trail was broad and easy to follow We had scarcely turned into the high road when we met some men, who told us enough to show that Livenza and his companion were on horseback, riding at a moder- ate pace, and were not more than a mile or two distant We covered four or five miles at the gallop, stopping I li;?. 402 SARITA, THE CARLIST i ,1 ■!'--i ' 1'.' ?l li if i I V '4 u wherever we met anyone on the road to make inquiries ; and it was soon abundantly clear that we were over- taking them fast. They seemed to be keeping to the high road, for what purpose or whither bound it was impossible to guess ; nor did it matter much so long as we were rapidly closing up to them. Then the scent failed suddenly. We had rattled along for a couple of miles or so, and I was expecting to overtake them at any moment, when a carter whom we questioned declared that no one answering to the description had passed him. The news was serious in- deed ; it was now late, there were few people abroad ; the sparsely-scattered houses and cottages were closed, and the inmates abed ; we had passed more than one branch road ; and thus the chances of our tracking them ran down to zero. We turned our horses' heads, and at the first of the branch roads drew rein to confer. Rubio had no stomach for the work of further search, and was for doing no more until we could get sufficient help to con- tinue the hunt vigorously the next morning in the day- light. This, no doubt, was a counsel of reason ; but I was in anything but a reasonable mood, and would not listen to him — much to his disgust. " We know just about where they were last seen on the high road," I said. " They can't ride about all night in these by-lanes ; if they were making for any definite town they would have had to stick to the main road ; and we must take these by-roads in turn, and ride a few miles along each of them. You follow the first, and I'll take the next. We shall find them in that way." " It is useless, senor. We shall only wear ourselves HUT ON THE HILLSIDE 403 Bi,tTr\i u^ ^ '" «"^^y' blusterous squalls at len,tHfand\~ retrl^eT;^"^' ' """ "^ Then what m.ght have been expected happened-I lost my way. Puzzled by the darkness I took . turning which, instead of leading me ba k to the h'h road, brought me out by a rough zieirll . ^ laraway from any sign of a habitation, in the oitrh darkness, with the wind howling round ' me and the rain falling m torrents. ^'^^ For an hour or more I groped about, having at times to dismount and lead my horse, until I realised thaTi was hopelessly lost, and that I had not only no cha„ee of discovering Sarita that night, but should be lucky if I had not to spend the night in the open. ^ I was halting for the twentieth time under the shelter family qmvenng through the darkness above me Where hght was, some human being must be all a .f money or force could prevail, f hat Lmat be!"' should guide me baclc to the high 'road and^fetyanf ground, no. blunderi^'g in^oTdi.c'h" or Sl„g"r.:i". deep ,nto avegetable patch, oralmost break ingrnVsMns against stone heaps, until i fo-and that the ifght cle from the window of a cottage. * *i 404 SARITA, THE CARLIST III 1^ If ri-i I: LJ; ' w\%* m !■ ' I WW j ■ 4. , i Then something happened to fill me with the inspiring hope that my good luck was far better than I could have dared to hope. I was close to the cottage when I ran up against a couple of horses tethered to some railings ; and on running my hands over them I found both were saddled, and that one carried a side saddle. My excitement at this was intense ; for I believed that luck, chance, fate. Providence, call it what you will, had done what no judgment or skill could have had accomplished, and had led me right to Livenza's hiding- place. In a moment, all my instincts of caution were awake again. I led my horse away from the others, fastened him securely, and crept up to the window where the light glimmered. Although the rain and wind were raging with such violence that no sound I made was at all likely to penetrate within, I picked my way with the utmost care, and stealing up to the window, peered in, I could not see much, as there was a dirty ragged, white curtain, which prevented my getting more than a glimpse at one side ; but I saw enough to confirm my belief. Livenza was there. I could see him plainly, as he stood by the door of the room, leaning against it, his arms folded, his head bent down, and his features moody, frowning, and dogged. As I watched him he looked up toward the corner of the room by the win- dow, and in his blood-shot, haggard eyes was a wild, dangerous light that told all too plainly of the fire of insanity. His lips moved, but I could not hear the words ; and at the instant a great gust of wind rushed against the small casement window, and set it clatter- ing and shaking as though to burst it in. HUT ON THE HILLSIDE 405 on the dirty, wind-rustled cuTuin'" '"""o"" When a thought stayed me. If I was riirht .nH t « effect T"'""^ '^«" wr;.;r '; d tr;:; ..~r.'.rrrint'.' rrs - - airaincf t»,« « . * ' ^ dashed my arm .on. Is Z\^: :'","•" ' '''^^'' "■■"> -^ ■" a "^den. „ as ne tore aside the curtain " Nnt th» r>«r s^°c°ceSr:?' r^'l °^ --"P«on." He ' ie";'™; "nTn": Vwetl' Lad™'!,' T""'"'' '^^ "'->' '- gs 01 wnich I had evidently smashed. He soon i 406 SARITA, THE CARLIST m r r li! : iil Jl Hi '^ 1 It f1 LI, abandoned his efforts, with an oath at the storm, an re-crossed the room. But I could now hear what passe and, as he did not think to rearrange the curtain, I coul see everything clearly. For a time not a word was spoken, and then Livenz broke the silence. " We may as well end this pretence, Sarita. I ha\ lied to you. Your Englishman is not coming here, h is lying snug, safely caged in a gaol in Madrid, and have brought you here for my own purposes. To te you again what you once used to let me tell you freel; and what you know well enough— that I love you ; lov you, do you hear, as no cold-blooded English do knows how to love. You are mine now, and sha never belong to another." I saw Sarita start, and wince at th** words. Sh looked across at him, and appeared to realise in moment the extremity of the case, her imminent peri and his wild insanity. She hesitated as if calculatin her chance of either outwitting or struggling agains him ; and I would have given anything to have bee; able to let her know I was at hand. The dead calm ness of her tone, as she replied, told me how clearly sh understood her danger. " I have never let you tell me that, Colonel Livenza,' she said, very quietly. " But you knew it. You could read it in my eyes in my acts, in how I served you, in my work for th( Carlists, in everything," he answered, vehemently " You are more to me than life — you know that. Life do I say" — and he laughed — "Why, I have wreckec my very soul for your love, Sarita ; and have withir the last few hours done murder that you might be fre( to be mine." HUT ON THE HILLSIDE 407 '•What do you mean ? " .he asked, in 'he same clear cool even vo.ce. She was leading him to talk in o der to gam time to think and plan. a'«>n order " What should I mean but that I have killed the onlv he cried bitterly, in answer to her changing look " H- never stood between us. A far stronger than he Quesada. You told me of his treachery.^ He gave yoT to me a„d all the time was scheming and lyinfthat'he ne will he and cheat no more ; " and he laughed aeain wildly and recklessly. « Unless he does it in hell ' He IS dead, do you understand, dead, shot through the brain "ap'foIZ^^'""' ^'^" '' ^'' ^^"^"^ ano'ther :urTed ^^I saw Sarita start in fear, then instantly recover her- Wouldn't he .r °"' • .^'' '^ "°^ P'^" ""y «"rdef ? wouidn t he have ruined you ? Were vou "f- ;« u- a sound, gj»d..rue, just ac,, and hfd h. rh„"dred' luily than the (irst-for your sate, Sarita. God ho» I ove you - •• he cried with mad ecstasy. -. When you he'atffj;/' "'«'" ^' C^'varro-s farm how he Jad cheats me, you s.gned his death warrant, Sarita I went away meaning to kill him and then myse"f bu 2Z,r ^"."^"'"^ everything, and made me more ™ooth promises. He was afraid to die and told me -here you were, that I could go to you and res cu you m ■fk Ifr ill. n' ^r< III .J 'm\ 408 SARITA, THE CARLIST and have you for my own, all my own, Sarita. Am then I taw what I could do. That I could still kil him, and then escape myself to you and win you ; am I went out from his room and crept out to the back of hi house and caught him— doing, what think you ? In th( very act of sending a message to his spies to arrest mi at the place to which he was sending me to find you I knew then he had told me the truth, where you were and I shot him and saw him fall dead without a word without a groan even, and I hurried away to you. T< you, my love, my last hope in life, my love, my love God, how I burn for you ! " he exclaimed with fresl ecstasy. Sarita shuddered and drew in her breath, at thes< evident proofs of his madness. " You told me Lord Glisfoyle was waiting for me,' she said, scarce knowing in her growing alarm what t< say. " Don't speak that name to me," he cried fiercely, hij eyes gleaming and his face flushing. " Any name but that. I lied to you, I know it, I am not ashamed. A man must lie when love demands it. I used him to wir you awj V ' jta Escorias ; and you came — came, never tc leave me ajain, Sarita. I love you too well. If you will not love me, you shall live to love no other. I swear it. But you don't want to die, and will learn to love me, And if you won't, here is the love draught for us both ; ' and the brute took his revolver from his pocket, and held it, looking from it to Sarita, with eyes wild with craving, love, madness, and the menace of death. " You mean you will murder me as you have murdered Sebastian Quesada?" Her voice was perfectly calm as she spoke. No higher proof of her consummate HUT ON THE HILLSIDE 409 •poke .h. glanced h»rri.dl,.t.h^i;, u "'° " ''" hope of eicape. """"" " "« ""oko" wmdow i„ th, co!SCr'col"hl't"' "'""" '" ■»»«• ' «. ho«e wUho„. -roZ'^uLZl::."" '" '""• "" Jr.treT:sx''nrw:°»"r? «l"s. In the .toreTa^ve ,■, """"^ '" """■- "« and .0 my i«.n..7a.rst.io„'?aaw t^: c° ' """''"• .he di.fa„c. as bc« I ^rid fnT:.' ^k °r "'^"'"'""^ and managed to catch hold o the smVlr";* "" -X; I drew .„.. „p. ^, ,„ ^^^ ^'^ - - rict..„...- ™°ni and down the narrow nckety stairs, pausing a. almost every step, in fearLs" 4IO SARITA, THE CARLIS' i m m' the creak of the boards should give notice of : presence. But no one heard me, and as the floor at 1 bottom was stone paved, I could move with grea freedom. All was still well with Sarita, and whei reached the door of the room where the two were heard her voice, still calm and firm with courage, she reasoned with Livenza. " Love is sweet and life is sweet," I heard him say answer to something from her; "but death is sweel than all if love be denied. If we cannot live and lo we can die together, Sarita," he said, in the dreary to of a crazed dreamer. I ran my fingers softly and noiselessly round the do in search of the fastening, and when he began to spei Egain, I lifted the latch noiselessly by imperceptib degrees, and found to my inexpressible relief that was unlocked. The sands of my patience had now n out, and I drew my revolver and held it in readine for instant use. The seconds that followed formed pause of acute suspense. I could hear Livenza brusl ing against the door on the inside as he moved wh{ speaking, and taking advantage of a moment when I was in the midst of one of his mad rhapsodical hi rangues, I nerved myself for a tremendous effort, thrui the door open with all my might and main, and dashc into the room. Thank heaven, the attempt was entirely successfu The door in opening struck Livenza with such sudde violence, that it sent him staggering forward again: the table in the centre, overthrowing the candle an extinguishing it. Before he could recover himself, had found him in the dark, and grappling him dragge him to the floor, where he writhed and strained in fierce and desperate struggle for the mastery. li ! LIST ce of my oor at the h greater d when I were, I mrage, as lim say in s sweeter and love eary tone the door to speak rceptible if that it 1 now run readiness ormed a :a brush- fed when when he lical ha- t, thrust 1 dashed ccessful. I sudden against idle and imself, I dragged led in a I HUNG ON WITH A iiKIP WHICH HE TRIED VAINLT TO SHAKE nYr:'~Page 41/. r 1 •AA : V i • ■"■ ' i. ' ' i '1 ,'■;». 1 ^■ ■ ll^ '■■' 1 j M it ,r ' [ y M "■! 't- ■ j ' L ii_b . HUT ON THE HILLSIDE 4,, on it with all the strennh « "•"»«, and I pressed "g the blows he «i!^!^*^ "■'' command, disregard- and I hunTon Jfthtf '!°" T "'"■ '"""<= ™'"«, «r.nph gave out f; |"t .hT b,'"* '""'^""^- «» the struggles we^er until' h,? ?'"' '"'"'"■ ""d -»i.gl?unor,:u:f 'mtX""" "■°'""^' '"" for S°whZC'"t^ t-^; " ' ""-.. ---Sly. ness. ^^ ^ '*^*=" P^^*^e '« P'tchy dark- jN"j:"K'C;r'r'bt;:i?-r- be out of this me« •' v:.^- ? "'raid, well soon nl„„»..r I . Finding that Livenza lav still r plunged my hand into mv Docket ^„^ »„ j ' box. "Here are matches -=1h 1 ""' """="• touched in the dark h^^ lire cold "and" T.-^"^'" candle w«frndana=eMrtt7""'"'r'"° '«"•'•■' flame a scene of cn„f. ""''«'"?''■ "-"caling by its dim little room"hich bor^Z "" ''''°"'"'" "" """"'le which had Cten :„:',Sr '"""""^ " "« ""« 412 SARITA, THE CARLIST " You must hunt about and find something to tie th: mad devil up with ; I daren't leave him," I said next and taking the candle she went out of the room, he face dead white, and her hands shaking so that th candle flickered unsteadily. Meanwhile Livenza lay so still in the darkness that began to fear he was dead. I could feel no pulse in hi listless wrist, which dropped when I released it like th arm of a corpse. I unfastened his coat and laid m hand on his heart, and then I could just detect a fain fluttering ; but it was enough to prove he still lived. After a few minutes Sarita came back carrying small length of cord which she had found ; and wit this I fastened his legs. Taking the candle I looke with a good deal of anxiety into his eyes ; and sendin Sarita for water I dashed it on his face, and made sue crude efforts as I knew of to bring him back to cor sciousness. For a long time the efifort seemed vaii and the apparent difficulty of restoring him, led me t an act of carelessness that came within an ace of pro\ ing fatal to everything. Sarita had been carrying Livenza's revolver whic had fallen close to her feet when I had burst in, an now she picked up mine and laid them both on th table ; and I, thinking that Livenza would be better if raised him, dragged him up and set him on a chair clos to them. It was the act of a fool. He had evidentl been duping me for some time, and now he waitei until my hands were off him, when he seized his chanc with the cunning of a madman, and snatched up one o the revolvers. A cry from Sarita was my first hint o the peril, and I turned to find the barrel levelled poin blank at me. !-T I! :|| ; ■!*"! HUT ON THE HILLSIDE 4.3 on her as she moved ."L 2T I ^°"«'" '"' '"-d >.« ha-d was to, shakt ft h, ' V'"' "" '"e room ; b.,t by the „.rcy„, Provide '.. "•"" f "«")'. «d be/ore I could interf,r.,. ? "'"*«' Her. Then 'onowed l„ rap7::resl'n ?• '-r ''■r ^'■- own temple and fired. Thi t!me ,h. ?'"°' '" '"'' enough, and with a groan he ITk 1"" "^ '™' dead. ^^"' "' "e" back off the chair £r^e-^-d'°aJ^--^^^^^^ o-tom'e rtm' ^f.;;; ' "'"' '"" "^ '» "= "er •00 much for her sle X' She h''/ f"" '■^■' ^«" "Wfe, wan, and heloteM^nfh ^ " '*'"'='' *"" '»y touched ^hen hetad hi ,as°t d" °" """'■ ^'" "^ •hoot her. "' desperate attempt to ' 4 r ■. nA- Lii ^1 ''t\ . 1 1^ CHAPTER XXXIV A king's riodlb THE effects of Sebastian Quesada's death wei national and dramatic. For some days the political atmosphere wi highly charged with electricity ; the utmost confusic appeared to prevail, and in the result the war par( emerged triumphant and irresistible. Scarcely a voi( was to be heard in favour of peace, even from tho; who had previously been staunch adherents of tl dead Minister. The reason of this was to some extent a matter < conjecture on my part. How wide-reaching Quesada conspiracy had been I never learnt precisely ; bi enough was told to enable me to guess a great de; more. Quite suddenly, and much to my surprise, tt policy of a general amnesty for the Carlists embroilc in the recent outbreak found wide and most influenti; support. The avowed reason for this was the obvious exped ency of uniting all classes in Spain, in order to presei a compact front to the common enemy ; but I belies the real reason was a very different one. I hai grounds for saying that the scrutiny of Quesada private affairs and papers revealed the fact that ! many of the prominent men in the country had bee more or less involved in his movement to establish Republic, that the loyalists were afraid of the resul A KING'S RIDDLE 4,5 This unexpected development wa. ,.f "ly favour, although there w!r. .*'''"'■'"' ^" '" anxiety and suspense """' "^''^ "" ""^"'^ motives and was no, ,! °'""'"' '"•<'"' P^vale "Itinufe success ,ouke.W^K ?""'"' """Sh »' -« again withM'a°d:t' ChTJte^'ard T"'' "'" communications with the D.^TTCt^'" ""'" "" From my first interview win, '"7"™- piece of sorrowful new 7or ti ^ He^b^'l^^^ ^ dead. He had been shot at Daroca in th. « ? 5"" ''"' mg from the police who had arrested .„ 'I ""'''^' was very deep, but Ramnn'c T.u ' "*^^ «"ef tie which bound her to Sn ^^*^ '^^"''"^ ^'^^ ^^"'i'y of sorrow had pa Led |t c^e^rbe"'^" ''' '"* P^"^' us that if the amnest; fl the cluLT'''" '''"^^" would go with us to England. '''"''^ ^''^ Then, just as matters aDoeareH t^ k- • unexpected thing occurred Th-H ^T^ ^""' ^" to attend at the Palace rn; -^ ^^^''^'^"'^^^ ^ summons the others, and as I entered V T"' '°"" ^^ *^" heard her say : ^^ ^'^' ^^^^^^i's room I we7ha";te^^^^ 7"' ""r^' ''' ^ »>'--^ brothers a rfgut^t^trnt^^ " ^"''-'' '^^ across^llf AlLm-raTr" '\'"°"'"^ ^^ '-^' ^^ Curwen... I said^tf^r -^^r:!; /^f ->'' ^^ 4i6 SARITA, THE CARLIST I ' ':t' ■ m " Ah, did you hear me, Lord Glisfoyle ; but yo seem to be the storm-centre. Have you brought an more little volcanoes or blizzards with you now ? shall always think of a cyclone when I think of you, she declared, laughing. '• I am summoned to the Palace this afternoon, an hope, with you, to find the tornado is over." " Have you any news of Sarita's matters then .> " "None, but I expect to hear everyth iig this aftei noon. Did you see Dolores Quesada this morninj Mercy ? " " Yes, poor girl; she is awfully broken by her troubh and holds to her intention to take the veil. She I going to-day to the Convent of the Sacred Heart." " About the best place for her, poor soul ! " exclaime Mrs. Curwen, " for a time, of course. I'm not sui prised there are plenty of convents in this most cut and-thrust country. I should go into one if I were Spaniard — which, thank goodness, I am not ! " " I think she would have done better to accep Madame Chansette's offer to ^j and live with her ii Paris," said I. " She's too pretty, too young, and tO( rich to be shut up for life." " Madame Chansette was with me this morning, an< we both tried to persuade her," replied Mercy, " bu she wouldn't listen to us. We hope she will com( round. Madame Chansette says she will have at leas a year of the novitiate, and a good many things maj happen in a year." " A good many may happen in a week in Madrid,' cried Mrs. Curwen. " It must be in the air, I suppose.' "Yes, friendships ripen quickly here, even wher people are not Spanish," said I. I " and A KING'S RIDDLE 4,7 " And feelings stronger than friendship, too." retorted the widow, understanding my reference ' "^ rrr^t;^;;-- ^" -' ^ added,^''And"hj;:?: She smiled, and turned to greet him. Well, what news ? " she asked a Ut»u . , thought. ' * ""'* eagerly, I "I've got the leave," he answered. Overdoing what, Silas ? " " I^s mv°H '°"'"'f ' ""^ *' y°"''-« *" «°'"« •• "IhatL^ M-"^' ^^'^ Glisfoyle," said Mrs. Curwen and when Jed"^ "f^' ^°"^°"^ *° '-^ *^'- things ;' P^ed^nder tL ."^^ ^"°^ ^°" ^'" ^« t°° '""<^h occu- p^ed under the Circumstances to attend to us, so I told Mr Mayhew he ought to get leave and come with us » I hope wuh all my heart he'll never come back " I sa.d, very earnestly ; and Mercy smiled. ' .. ^°' ^^'"^ b^^^k ? Why ? " he asked. Will krer;:u\ir .^°"'" '-' ^ -^'-^ - ^-<^- ^^at enX' "'" ''"""' ^ ™'"-^°"« "^^'^ ™e has no influ- ' What leave will you have ?" " A month." happen m a month, and many good things too." Zd 4iS SARITA, THE CARLIST i.i'' |('<'^ in that cuse the generalitm was a prophecy, for May* hew did not return to Madrid except when he and Mrs. Curwen paid a flying honeymoon visit there some months afterwards. "Certainly many things have happened here," he replied, drily. " And the catalogue isn't filled yet ; but I'm going to the Palace tc^day, and hope to get the remaining items, •o far as I'm concerned ; " and we were discussing and canvassing my visit to the King, when Madame Chan- sette arrived, and told us to my infinite consternation that Sarita had been again arrested. I could not at first believe it. •• Arrested ? My dear madame, are you sure ? " I cried. " I never feel sure of anything now ; but if two officials in uniform arriving with a warrant or a sum* mons or some kind of paper from Government, and the hurrying off of Sarita to some place no one knew where, or at least would tell me where, and taking no denial or excuse and not letting us communicate with anyone, and not even allowing Sarita to make any decent prep- arations, or even pack a hand-bag with absolute necessaries, not even a brush and comb or a spare handkerchief, and saying no more tome than that they had their orders and must obey them, don't mean arrest, then what can it mean ? " She paused for want of breath, and was plunging into another sea of words when I interrupted her. "Who signed the paper or warrant or whatever it was ? What was the charge ? " " My dear Lord Glisfoyle, however can I know when I was not even allowed to look at it, much less take it B^^l ■ A KING'S RIDDLE 4., some explanation. I had to wait fZh! I ' an hour or more drumming m^TeJ^^^^'Ti!"^^^ '- controlling my impatience as bes I cou,d T ' close to the time of my interview at thrP^.' T^" he arrived, fuH of .uav^e apoCel for Ih !^' "'''' I learn that Senoriu Caatelar i,«. k Mav I a.v ♦k^ 7^ v.a»ieiar has been arrested. yoamuch „.i.rac.ory i„,„r„„^;„' 'b„, ,T« C completed another .«air that yo„ will be interred ,» learn concerning Senorito Caatclar." """'"«' "> "Bat this arrest, mv lord ? »• I /.-u^ • irritated rather than apwased hv »k ""P**'*"*'^' courtesy of his tone ^^ ^ ^^ '^' scrupulous "Yes, it is undoubtedly singular ; but bear with «• a moment The other matter is also much in p^int it concerns the young lady's property, LorS^ Slvl ' Ai^xammation of the Quesada pap^'rs has coivL^^S "But the arrest, my lord?" I interposed "i am burning with impatience." ^ ' *" "This may be in some way connected with it W. ar^convmced that Quesada was wrongfuiry wi hhoW ngnt, and it will be restored to Senorita r^ie*-. ^ cou^e. inhis matter is satisfacto rlra^g^d " '"' " But the arrest, n., lord?- I cried Iot the third 420 SARITA, TH> CARLIST jM-.;'; time. "Other matteri are nothing compared with thig." " And unfortunately I can tell you nothing about it. I cannot think it it of any serious importance, how- ever." " But she has been arrested," I urged, insistently. " Such a drastic step must mean something— even in Spain." " You are severe upon our methods, senor. I wish I could give you a more satisfying answer." And he threw up his hands and smiled. "To whom can I go for information?" I asked, rising. " I believe the step has been uken at the instance of the Palace ; but it cannot be serious, as I say, for we have definitely settled upon the amnesty for all but a very few of the Carlists— where, for instance, it is clear that robbery rather than politics was the motive." " This does not satisfy me," I said, ungraciously ; for the mention of exceptions made me uneasy. " I can understand that it should not ; but if I may ofifer a word of advice, I would counsel patience. All will come right, I hope and think. Have you not received a summons to the Palace to-day ? " "Yes. Shall I learn the truth there?" I said bluntly. " I hope will have no difficulty in learning the truth anywhere in Spain, Lord Glisfoyle," he answered; and the rebuke was none the less telling: because of the quiet, courteous tone in which it was administered. " I beg your pardon, my lord. In my great anxiety I spoke in haste." " I am sure of that At the Palace I am convinced mu A KING'S RIDDLE 4^1 There wa. clearly nothing more to be gleaned from the pice? ""'""" "' """^^ ""'•» ' -«»" o I wag ushered not into any of the public chamberi. but mto one of the private apartment, of the S F.m.ly. and left there alone, much exercLed in mTnd on account of the strange step which had been ukTn Presently the young King came to me, and I was kt once struck by his strange manner and the strange expression on his face. He appeared to be very Z to see and yet his manner was unquestionably marked by restraint. At first he came gladly and quickly towards me with outstretched hands as he had before, but checked himself, gave me his haid to kiss and then searched my face with precocious shrewdness mmg^ed, as it seemed, with intentionally suppresled spoke It was with a gravity far beyond his years, and without any of his spontaneous boyish frankness I have desired to see you alone, my lord. The refa^dl .r"° "'" '^^* *°'^ ^^ «^ »»>' ^-i ion in regard to the amnesty ? " to "afk' tt' T ''°"'/°' ^°"'" ^^'"''y- I went to him to ask the reason of a most unexpected event-the arrest of Senorita Castelar-a matter that has caused me grave uneasiness." ^-u^eu "Did he not tell you that some exceptions had to be made m granting pardons ? " an" ?,!. "^'f- "°' ''!! '"^ '^^' ^""°"*^ Castelar was to be r^ I J ' ^"^^^•■ed. rather bluntly. « Nor did I think that such a thing would ever have been done " ''iJ * i c 'j 1lt- 422 SARITA, THE CARLIST He gave me a little eager glance, and was going to reply quickly, when he checked himself, paused, and then in the former tone said — " We wish to consult your desires so far as possible, my lord ; but the senorita took a very active part even in the plot against me." " I am in your Majesty's hands, of course, but such a step is a strange way of consulting my desires." " I am not so sure of that," he cried quickly, with a boyish smile. " At least, I mean that you have been such a friend to me that I am convinced you would not wish me to do anything that my advisers consider unwise." " We did not speak in this strain as we rode back that evening from Podrida. I do not recall any con- ditions about your Majesty's advisers or even mention of them." " You are very difficult to deal with, senor, and are making my task very hard," he said, protestingly. " I have not the honour to know what your Majesty's task is," said I, puzzled by his words. " It has been found necessary, in the '-^terests which I have at heart, to pass a sentence upon the senorita— in some respects a heavy sentence." He used the same over-serious tone, but as he looked up into my face I saw laughter in his eyes, and when he finished, the smile spread over his face. " It is your Majesty's prerogative to command," I answered. " Yes," he cried, eagerly. " Yes, this is my own doing. I have seen Senorita Castelar, I spoke of my advisers just now ; but this is not their doing, it is all my work. That may make you agree to it, even if the punishment A KING'S RIDDLE 423 should be very sorry if I thought that-on your account. You will beheve that ? " and he made a motion to place ftis hands on mme as if to appeal to me. " I should be deeply distressed if l' thought you of yourself could do anything harsh or unjust. I do not thmk It possible." "That is more like my Englishman of Podrida " he «HH H ^u'^f^' *'"*' '■"^•='"*'"« '° '^^ «r^^« toni. he added : The senorita knows her punishment and quite acquiesces m its justice ; although it carries with it no less than partial imprisonment for life." " Your Majesty is not serious ? " I exclaimed « Do I look otherwise ? " he cried ; but he could not maintain his gravity any longer, and burs? into a merry peal of laughter. « Do you think I would do a, hing Ike that? Anything against the man who once wore this for me ?» and he pulled out the little mask that he had begged of me that day on the road. "I know more now than I did then of the danger you ran for my sake. Can't you guess my riddle ? " His eyes were dancing with pleasure and mischief and be put on the mask, and then thrust his hands into mine. "This is not the only mask I've worn to^ay. you see. Can't you guess .> Have I really beaten you? Thats glorious; and I thought it all out myself'' he cried, laughing in high glee. jl began to see daylight then, and laughed with him. I am not afraid of anything you would think of. sire " 'But you were afraid, you know. I saw it ii your face just now, and I could hardly keep it up I like you too much to wish to hurt you, even in play " If Wf 424 SARITA, THE CARLIST "You said the senorita's punishment carried partial imprisonment for life." "A golden prison, senor, for this," he cried, laughing again as he held up the fourth finger of the left hand. " Senorita Sarita Castelar is to be exiled from Spain] never to return ; never, never, never. But Lord Glis- foyle's wife, Carlist or not Cariist, will always be able to return," he added, slily, " because Lord Glisfoyle, my Englishman, will always be welcome here. Now do you understand it all ? " " And thank your Majesty from the bottom of my heart," I replied, earnestly. " Have I kept my word ? " he added, almost wistfully. " As a King should, generously," I said. "And you forgive me my prank— though you could not guess my riddle ?" " It is a riddle, sire, of which the answer could not be better." "Then I hope Spain and I will always have one firm friend in England," he said, very seriously, as he put his hand again in mine. " Till the end of my life, your Majesty ; " and taking his hand I was pressing my lips upon it when he checked me. " No," he said, smiling. " I am not the King to you. We are friends, and friends don't kiss hands, they shake them in your England. Good-bye, my friend, my Eng- lishman of Podrida." "Good-bye," I answered, holding his hand in a firm clasp. Then he led me, still holding my hand, to the door. " You are to go there, but—" and his voice shook slightly as he added—" don't forget me, even there ; A KING'S RIDDLE 425 even when you find what you so much desire." He opened the door, and I saw Sarita waiting for me. I went to her with quickly beating heart. "Good-bye again," came in a whisper, as the boy Kmg closed the door softly behind me, and opened up at the same time all the new smiling love-life that lay ahead for us two. THE END. I