"Wait a bit," he said, quietly. "I think it is said that a picnic is given to-day by Senora Downing for Dona Raquel Arteaga who is visiting in Los Angeles. How can she be at the same time at the San Joaquin ranch?" "I know not anything of the picnic, senor, but I know a woman rode her horse into the ranch at dark last night, and they say it is Dona Raquel Arteaga; and she has a fever, and screams and laughs all night in the room of Dona Ana. I know, for I am called after I am asleep, to get wood for a fire. No one sleeps, and outside the window I hear all what she screams, and it is enough to freeze the blood,--all of altars where blood is, and a ring that she cries for; and I am glad to get away and ride for Rafael Arteaga." "Rather thin, isn't it, all of that story?" remarked one of the ranchmen. "Bryton, when we asked you to join us didn't you stop to send word to the Downings that you couldn't attend their little celebration in the hills?" "Yes." Bryton had turned from the others and was rolling a cigarro. He replied without looking up from his task. "And it was given in honor of Dona Raquel Arteaga and the bishop?" "I understood so." "Understood? Why, that was the reason Arteaga gave for refusing to come along," broke in one of the other men. "I heard him." "That's so; I did too, and I thought at the time a picnic for a woman and a priest was a mighty small excuse to give for evading--" "Careful!" And the sheriff shot a warning glance at the speaker. "A newly married man was excused, even in Bible times, from going to the wars, so Arteaga's reason is all right." "Just a moment," said Bryton. "I am as certain as it is possible to be of anything one does not see, that the boy tells the truth. She is there, and she is ill. Let him take the message." "What makes you think so?" and the sheriff eyed him carefully. Bryton's jaw set stolidly, though his face flushed. "I know it; that's all," he said, briefly, as he turned away. "But--" "The boy is speaking the truth; I know it!" The sheriff looked after him a moment, and then spoke to one of the others. "Just keep the boy here a bit until I can see clearer," he said, "if Bryton knows." He tramped after Bryton, who was going for his own horse tied in the shadow of a pepper tree. "Bryton, tell me _how_ you know!" "I can't do it. Take my word or ignore it, as you like."