“Ah, do not deny me! There is something I would say----” “As you please, _señorita_.” “Kiss me again--again! Now--open the door!” He took down the heavy bar and threw the door open. Those outside beheld Señorita Anita Fernandez standing before them, the caballero behind her. The girl’s head was lifted proudly, and her eyes flashed as of old, and she looked the Governor straight in the face as she spoke: “Before this man gives himself to you I want you to know that I love him better than all the world----” “Anita!” cried Señora Vallejo from one side. “I want you to know that he denies being a leader of the hostiles, and that I believe him. Twice he saved me from dishonour and death. No affront has he offered. It is true he killed Rojerio Rocha, and, as for that----” She stopped; for suddenly the caballero had stepped beside her, the whimsical smile playing about his face. “Good day, your excellency!” he said, bowing low. And his excellency, the Governor, bent forward, eyes bulging, lower jaw sagging for a brief second, then straightened and roared aloud: “By the saints! Killed Rojerio Rocha, eh, girl? Hah! By the saints, this man before us is Rojerio Rocha, my good friend! Ah, boy, boy! They told me you had been slain!” Before them all he took the dishevelled caballero in his arms! CHAPTER XXV THE SERGEANT SLEEPS AGAIN “Explain, rogue!” cried the Governor half an hour later. They were in the plaza, where a temporary camp had been established. The fires were out, the smoke had drifted away. Wounded had received attention, and preparations were being made for burying the dead. In all directions troopers pursued hostiles and cut them down. His excellency had told how the revolt at San Luis Rey de Francia and other missions had been quelled. The body on the floor of the guest house had been examined and word passed that here was the genuine Fly-by-Night, renegade and conspirator, and that the real Rojerio Rocha had slain him. “Explain?” the caballero echoed. “’Tis a simple matter. When I reached San Diego de Alcalá I was mistaken for this Fly-by-Night. I thought to have jest by assuming the rôle. Then the hostiles, taking me for their leader through the same misunderstanding, came to tell me their plans. Being a loyal man, I maintained my rôle to learn all possible, and tried in every way to delay the attack until the force from the north could arrive.” “Very good, my boy!” his excellency exclaimed. “But they grew suspicious and soon I found myself at outs with white men and red. Then came word for Captain Fly-by-Night to be taken dead or alive at all costs. To everyone here I was Fly-by-Night, of course. The description sent----” “A fool of a cleric copied your description from the pass record by mistake,” cried the Governor. “I’ll send him packing when I return!”