"Listen! It is a secret of the confessional, discovered to me by a woman. At eight o'clock they are to surprise the barracks, sack the convent, and assassinate all the Spaniards." The alferez stood dumbfounded. "Be ready for them; ambush your soldiers; send me four guards for the convent! You will earn your promotion to-night! I only ask you to make it known that it was I who warned you." "It shall be known, father; it shall be known, and, perhaps, it will bring down a mitre!" replied the alferez, his eyes on the sleeves of his uniform. While this conversation was in progress, Elias was running toward the house of Ibarra. He entered and was shown to the laboratory, where Crisostomo was passing the time until the hour of his appointment with Maria Clara. "Ah! It is you, Elias?" he said, without noticing the tremor of the helmsman. "See here! I've just made a discovery: this piece of bamboo is non-combustible." "Senor, there is no time to talk of that; take your papers and flee!" Ibarra looked up amazed, and, seeing the gravity of the helmsman's face, let fall the piece of bamboo. "Leave nothing behind that could compromise you, and may an hour from this time find you in a safer place than this!" "What does all this mean?" "That there is a conspiracy on foot which will be attributed to you. I have this moment been talking with a man hired to take part in it." "Did he tell you who paid him?" "He said it was you." Ibarra stared in stupid amazement. "Senor, you haven't a moment to lose. The plot is to be carried out to-night." Crisostomo still gazed at Elias, as if he did not understand. "I learned of it too late; I don't know the leaders; I can do nothing. Save yourself, senor!" "Where can I go? I am due now at Captain Tiago's," said Ibarra, beginning to come out of his trance. "To another pueblo, to Manila, anywhere! Destroy your papers! Fly, and await events!" "And Maria Clara? No! Better die!" Elias wrung his hands. "Prepare for the accusation, at all events. Destroy your papers!" "Aid me then," said Crisostomo, in almost helpless bewilderment. "They are in these cabinets. My father's letters might compromise me. You will know them by the addresses." And he tore open one drawer after another. Elias worked to better purpose, choosing here, rejecting there. Suddenly he stopped, his pupils dilated; he turned a paper over and over in his hand, then in a trembling voice he asked: "Your family knew Don Pedro Eibarramendia?" "He was my great-grandfather." "Your great-grandfather?" repeated Elias, livid. "Yes," said Ibarra mechanically, and totally unobservant of Elias. "The name was too long; we cut it." "Was he a Basque?" asked Elias slowly. "Yes; but what ails you?" said Crisostomo, looking round and recoiling before the hard face and clenched fists of Elias.