Old Sebastian's curse had come true; Dona Isabel had met the fate he had called down upon her that day when he hung exhausted in his chains and when the flies tormented him. The treasure for which the woman had intrigued so tirelessly had been her death. Like an ignis fatuus, it had lured her to destruction. Furthermore, as if in orirnmest irony, she had been permitted at the very last to find it. Living, she had searched to no purpose whatsoever; dying, she had almost grasped it in her arms. Once the first excitement had abated and a messenger had been sent to town, Cueto drew Esteban aside and questioned him. "A shocking tragedy and most peculiar," said the overseer. "Nothing could amaze me more." "Exactly! And all because of her sleep-walking. I'm all in a tremble." "She was asleep? You are sure?" "Have I not told you so?" Esteban was impatient. "But it is said that people given to that peculiarity never come to grief. They say some sixth sense guides them--gives them warning of pitfalls and dangers. I--I can't understand--" "That well was a menace to a waking person. I didn't realize how near to it she was; and when I cried out to her it seemed only to hasten her steps." The young man shuddered, for the horror of the thing was still in his mind. "Tell me, how did you come to be there at such an hour, eh?" Esteban saw the malevolent curiosity in Cueto's face and started. "I--That is my affair. Surely you don't think--" "Come, come! You can trust me." The overseer winked and smiled. "I had business that took me there," stiffly declared the younger man. "Exactly! And a profitable business it proved!" Cueto laughed openly now. "Well, I don't mind telling you, Dona Isabel's death is no disappointment to any one. Anybody could see--" "Stop!" Esteban was turning alternately red and white. "You seem to imply something outrageous." "Now let us be sensible. I understand you perfectly, my boy. But an officer of the Guardia Civil may arrive at any moment and he will want to know how you came to be with your stepmother when she plunged into that trap. So prepare yourself. If only you had not given the alarm. If only you had waited until morning. But--in the dead of night! Alone! He will think it queer. Suppose, too, he learns that you and Dona Isabel quarreled the other day over money matters?" Young Varona recovered himself quickly. He was watching his inquisitor now with a faintly speculative frown. When Cueto had finished, Esteban said: