“I already have informed you that no harm shall come to you if you are obedient.” “And, to be obedient----?” “Is to remain in this room, _señorita_, and you, _señora_, until you are told you may depart elsewhere. Food will be fetched you regularly; you may have anything you wish. Be not afraid of the Indians in the patio and surrounding the house. They are not a menace--they are here for protection.” “Protection?” sneered the _señora_. “Your protection--and yours, _señorita_--and mine.” “Yours?” the women cried. “What mean you?” the _señora_ demanded, as an afterthought. “That these Indians call me master. Do you understand? That I am their commanding officer. That the time to drop the mask has come, _señora_, and you may consider the mask dropped. To-night and to-morrow we prepare; to-morrow night we take the mission and presidio. After that the other things will follow--every rancho and village will be visited.” “You--you----!” Anita gasped. “You will get used to the idea, _señorita_. Within half a score of days I shall be a king. You did not think to wed the ruler of the coast, did you, _señorita_? Why did you think I am so anxious to come to the rancho to-day? Because my armies had been gathering here, _señorita_, and because it was my place here, instead of at the mission. And I desire to get you here, with the _señora_, where you will be out of harm’s way until after we have succeeded. As for Lopez and the troopers--they walked into the trap, and we have five men the less to fight to-morrow night.” He laughed loudly and took another step toward them, and the women recoiled. “You realise--what you are saying?” the _señora_ gasped. “Fully, _señora_.” “You--Rojerio Rocha--with the blood of the Rochas and the Fernandez in your veins--you turn renegade, lead hostile Indians, play at treason, countenance murder and rapine? Fear has turned your brain! You could not do such a thing!” “It takes a man with good brain to do it, and travel on the Governor’s pass at the same time,” he returned, laughing again. “Rest assured I speak the truth, _señora_. It has taken much planning, but soon we see the culmination.” “But--this Captain Fly-by-Night----?” The man’s face darkened. “A meddling fool,” he said, “who shall be sent to eternity if ever I cross blades with him again. A nothing, a novice--this man of whom you speak! Captain Fly-by-Night, eh? The fools sent out alarms concerning him, eh? They chase him and hunt him like a mad bull--while I am guest at the mission, and smile, and send out my plans and orders under the very noses of the frailes. I do not deny this man has had his uses. But I command--not he!” The first horror was over now; full realisation was coming to the women. Señorita Anita stepped out to the middle of the room and confronted him, and she showed no fear now. Her head was lifted proudly, her breast heaved with emotion, outraged pride and anger struggled in her face for expression.