"Then 'twas lucky that you knew of this short cut," remarked Jose, nothing daunted by the fellow's manner. "Well, good-night, senor. Pleasant ride!" and he drew his horse aside that the stranger might pass. "He isn't any too polite!" I remarked, as digging his spurs into his horse the fellow galloped off. "He's a fine horseman, though, and has the air of a military man, if I'm not mistaken." "Yes," agreed Jose; "he certainly rides like a soldier." "But he isn't in uniform." "No; he has left his uniform at home, I expect." "He must be pretty familiar with Lima to know this short cut." "I daresay he is. But didn't you recognize him? Well, I suppose it's hardly likely you would; you were only a little chap at the time, and perhaps never saw him. He's a rascal to the marrow!" "But who is he?" I asked impatiently. "Pardo Lurena." "Lurena? Haven't I heard my father speak of him?" "Very likely. He was one of the 'young bloods' of Peru, and, being a cadet of a wealthy family, able to do much as he pleased. He was always a thorough ruffian, and the common people hated him like poison. His pranks, however, were hushed up by those in authority, until, for some offence more startling than usual, your father got him clapped in prison. The Dons howled finely, but your father stood firm, and the people backed him up; so young Lurena had a taste of prison life. There was great excitement over it at the time." "What happened afterwards?" "Lurena left Lima. He went from bad to worse, and finally joined the ranks. Of course his relatives used their influence, and he was given a commission; but he never rose very high, I believe." "What could he be doing in Lima to-night?" "Something rascally, I'll be bound! He may have been to the town, but I believe the last place he stopped at was over there," and Jose pointed toward Don Felipe's house. "You don't think there's some treachery afoot between them, do you?" "Why not? Once a traitor, always a traitor! Montilla means to save his property at all costs, and to pick up as much as possible in the general scramble. Should the Spaniards win, your father will say good-bye to his estates." "Isn't your prejudice making you a little unjust, Jose? Remember that we know nothing against Don Felipe." "Oh, don't we? He got the estates into his hands once, and by hook or by crook he'll get them again!" I thought Jose exaggerated the danger, but this meeting with Lurena set me thinking. The fellow was evidently a Royalist soldier, and on a secret errand. If Jose's idea was correct, there could be only one object in his visiting Montilla. But our neighbour was not the man to compromise himself unless there was a distinct chance of success. Had he learned any news favourable to the Royalist cause? If so, that might account for his action.