There was, of course, room to hope that he might have had to return to his house to make some preparations for his flight; and I harassed and worried myself with a hundred speculations about this: whether he would not have gone to Quesada’s with everything in readiness for flight; or whether he had thought that he would be taken at once, or even killed by Quesada, and had thus set his affairs in order before going. To speculate on his actions in such a case, was, however, of no more value than to count the waves on the seashore; and I got no further than an ever-consuming desire for yet greater speed. "Close there now, senor," cried Rubio, at last, looking out of the window into the gloom. "A few minutes." "Thank Heaven for that," I exclaimed, fervently. "And that we’ve escaped a smash at that mad pace." We had left the high road, and were going less rapidly along a narrow country lane, and could speak without so much effort. "It’s going to be a wild night," he added. "I wish we were there, or rather that we could have been there two hours ago." "I think we shall be in time, senor. The place is not easy to find. I think it will be all right there." When the carriage stopped I sprang out, followed by Rubio, and hurried up to the house, which lay back some distance from the lane, along a rough, ill-kept carriage drive. "It’s evidently all right, senor. If anything had happened we should see some signs of it," said my companion, as he knocked loudly. A man opened the door, and touched his forehead as he recognised Rubio. "Good evening, Carlos. All well here?" "All well, Senor Rubio;" and at the word I breathed a deep sigh of relief. "The senorita is well, Carlos?" "Quite well, Senor Rubio, and in her rooms." "No visitors, I suppose?" was asked, casually. "Yes, senor; Colonel Livenza, from his Excellency, has been here." "_Been_ here?" I cried, in surprise. "Tell us, quickly, what you mean?" "He came with a letter from his Excellency, to see the senorita. He brought some urgent news, he said, and he was with her about half an hour, and then left." "How long ago was that?" "He has been gone maybe an hour, or perhaps less." "Quick work," muttered Rubio. "Show the senor here to the senorita’s rooms," he added, to the man. "Shall I go with you, senor?" "No, wait, please," I answered, following the man upstairs, my heart beating quickly at the thought of seeing Sarita again. He went up to the floor above, the rooms of which were shut off from the staircase by a door which I saw had been recently placed there. This he unlocked and stood aside for me to pass.