"He’s not worth it.—I was almost forgetting. I have brought some of your trinkets from the Casa Ximenez. Will you—" "Hark!" exclaimed Juanita, holding up her hand. There was a loud crash as of falling masonry. "They are bombarding again," said Jack, rising. "I must hasten to my post. Good-bye, Juanita!" "You will come and see us again when you have time?" They both looked sympathetically at the huddled figure of Doña Teresa, who had fallen asleep in her chair. "Poor Auntie!" said Juanita. Then, as Jack turned towards the door, she folded her mantilla about her head and dropped a low curtsy, saying demurely: "Adios, Señor!" *CHAPTER XXIII* *The Fight in the Ruins* Mines and Countermines—In the Cellars—Burrowing—Y Mines—An Underground Enemy—The Foe Within—Planning a Surprise—At Dawn—Across the Barricades—In the Enemy’s Works—A Bird’s-eye View—Through the Wall—Sword versus Bayonet—Shut Out—A Mob Leader—Too much Zeal—Not Proven Jack walked downstairs abstractedly, and was only brought to himself by the sudden realization that he had almost collided with a person entering at the door. Looking up with a murmured apology, he saw that the visitor was a burly priest, in long cassock and broad sombrero which roofed a round jovial face. The priest was equally apologetic, and eyed Jack curiously, stopping in the doorway and turning round to gaze after his retreating figure. Outside, Jack found Pepito perched on a stone post. He sprang to the ground when he saw his master. "Well, imp," said Jack, "sticking to me as usual, eh?" "Sí, Señor. Señor knows the fat padre?" "No. Do you?" "A friend of the Busno Don Miguel," replied the boy. "Indeed! How do you know that?" "I saw them talking at the door of the great big house over there." He pointed to the Franciscan convent on the other side of the road. Jack looked thoughtful; he wondered whether this was the Padre Consolacion of whom he had heard, and was half-minded to turn back and make his acquaintance. That he had been seen in consultation with Miguel was somewhat disturbing. But, on second thoughts, he decided that he had already been long enough away from his command at Santa Engracia, and he hastened his steps in that direction, anxious to see how things had been progressing there in his absence.