in peonage while on earth! But, friend, I repeat, the struggle is coming here in Colombia. And look you well to your own escape when it arrives!" "And can I do nothing to help avert it?" cried the distressed Josè. "Well," returned the explorer meditatively, "such bondage is removable either through education or war. But in Colombia I fear the latter will overtake the former by many decades." "Then rest assured that I shall in the meantime do what in me lies to instruct my fellow-countrymen, and to avoid such a catastrophe!" "Good luck to you, friend. And--by the way, here is a little book that may help you in your work. I'm quite sure you've never read it. Under the ban, you know. Renan's _Vie de Jésus_. It can do you no harm, and may be useful." Josè reached out and took the little volume. It was _anathema_, he knew, but he could not refuse to accept it. "And there is another book that I strongly recommend to you. I'm sorry I haven't a copy here. It once created quite a sensation. It is called, 'Confessions of a Roman Catholic Priest.' Published anonymously, in Vienna, but unquestionably bearing the earmarks of authenticity. It mentions this country--" Without speaking, Josè had slowly risen and started down the musty corridor, his thought aflame with the single desire to get away. Down past the empty barracks and gaping cells he went, without stopping to peer into their tenebrous depths--on and on, skirting the grim walls that typified the mediaevalism surrounding and fettering his restless thought--on to the long incline which led up to the broad esplanade on the summit. Must he forever flee this pursuing Nemesis? Or should he hurl himself from the wall, once he gained the top? At the upper end of the incline he heard the low sound of voices. A priest and a young girl who sat there on the parapet rose as he approached. He stopped abruptly in front of them. "Wenceslas!" he exclaimed. "And Maria!" "Ah, _amigo_, a quiet stroll before retiring? It is a sultry night." "Yes," slowly replied Josè, looking at the girl, who drew back into the shadow cast by the body of her companion. Then, bowing, he passed on down the wall and disappeared in the darkness that shrouded the distance. A few minutes later the long form of the explorer appeared above the incline. Wenceslas and the girl had departed. Seeing no one, the American turned and descended to the ground, shaking his head in deep perplexity. CHAPTER 15