"Andreas tells me it is still possible to get into and out of Daroca without being seen, and what I think should be done is this: Send one of the lads by the quickest way into the town to warn our friends and to prepare a party to come to us; and you, or perhaps better, both you and Garcia, go with the other lad to meet them by the longer way, and bring them to us at Calvarro’s. We can make the place our headquarters for the time." "I think you’re forgetting one thing, senor," he replied, with a grim smile. "If there’s a means of getting into Daroca, the senorita won’t stop at Calvarro’s, but will insist on going herself. Indeed, I shall be more than a little surprised if we find she hasn’t gone before we reach Calvarro’s at all." Knowing Sarita as I did, I felt the truth of this. "We will see," I said; and as our young guide again hurried us forward then I said no more. The way was more open for a mile or two now, and we rattled forward at a sharp trot in single file. Then came another steep climb up the shoulder of the mountain and down on the other side, both so steep that we had to dismount and lead our horses, and at the bottom I was told we were within a mile of our destination. Instinctively then we rode in dead silence, keeping to cover for every possible yard of the way, Andreas leading some little distance ahead. Suddenly we saw him halt, turn in the saddle, hold up a hand to warn us, and then slip from his horse and lead him right under the shadow of some olive trees. We followed his example, and a minute later he came back on foot. "Soldiers, on the road down there," he whispered, pointing ahead of us. "We have to cross the road and must wait. You may leave your horse, senor, he is trained like the rest, and will stand for hours if need be. We can creep forward and watch them." He and I went forward then, and he led me to a point from which, ourselves unseen, we could see the road below. "How came they here?" I whispered, "so close to Calvarro’s?" "I don’t understand it; but they are not on the direct road there; merely patrolling, I think, on chance." "I can see five," I whispered; "how many do you make out?" "There are seven horses, senor." "By heaven! you’re right. Two must be scouting on foot. And there go two more." The party had halted, and, as I spoke, two of the men left the rest, and, clambering over a gate on the other side of the road, were soon out of sight among the shadows of a grove of trees. The rest dismounted then, and, holding their horses, lighted cigarettes and stood chatting together. "Can you hear what they’re saying, Andreas?" "No, senor; but we ought to know where they’re going. I can get close down to them, if you wish, and may be able to hear their plans." "Yes, go, but for God’s sake be careful; our lives or theirs may turn on what you do."