The two soldiers drag him along and bring him up to the light, to recognize him. It was Lucas, but the soldiers were in doubt and questioned each other with a glance. "The alferez said nothing about his having a scar," said the Visayan in a low voice. "Where are you going?" "To order a mass for to-morrow." "Have you not seen Elias?" "I do not know him, señor," replied Lucas. "You dunce! I am not asking if you know him. Nor do we know him. I am asking you if you have seen him." "No, señor." "Listen closely. I will give you his description. Stature, at times tall, at times regular; skin and eyes, black; all the others are regular," said the Visayan. "Do you know him now?" "No, señor," replied Lucas, frightened. "Then, sulung! (Go along). You brute! You ass!" And they gave him a shove. "Do you know why Elias is tall, according to the alferez, and why he is short, according to the curate?" asked the Tagalog of the other. "No." "Because the alferez was stuck in a mud hole when he observed him, and the curate was on foot when he saw him." "That's right!" exclaimed the Visayan. "You are bright. Why are you a Guardia Civil?" "I haven't been always. I was a smuggler at one time," replied the Tagalog boastingly. But another form attracted their attention. They called out "Quien Vive?" and brought him up to the light. This time it was Elias himself. "Where are you going?" "I am pursuing, señor, a man who has whipped and threatened my brother. He has a scar on his face and his name is Elias----" "Ha?" exclaimed the two, and looked at each other frightened. And at once they started on a run toward the church, where a few minutes before Lucas had disappeared. CHAPTER XXXIV THE DISCOVERY. The bell announces the hour of evening prayer. On hearing the religious sound, all stop, leave their work and uncover their heads; the laborer, coming from the fields on the carabao's back, suspends the song to which the animal keeps step, and prays; the women in the middle of the street make the sign of the cross, and move their lips with affectation so that no one may doubt their devotion: the man stops fondling his game-cock and recites the Angelus so that he may have good luck; in the houses, they pray in a loud voice ... every sound which is not a part of the Ave Maria is dissipated, silenced. However, the curate, without his hat, hastily crosses the street, scandalizing many old women. And still more scandalous, he directs his steps towards the alferez's house. The devout women think that it is time for them to stop the movement of their lips and to kiss the curate's hand, but Father Salví takes no notice of them. To-day he finds no pleasure in placing his bony hand under a Christian's nose. Some important business must be occupying him that he should so forget his own interests and those of the Church!