"For fear of O'Donnell!" Barcelo ejaculated in contempt. "That Indian was simply talking nonsense. I've seen this O'Donnell around here--some nondescript fellow. Besides, O'Donnell wasn't in the Sierras at all, but right along with you. Well, we'll all feel better when we've had some breakfast." "What further did your informant say, Captain Morando?" Señora Valentino persisted. "Yoscolo thought O'Donnell had gone to the far-western plains. The Americano is most influential there with high chiefs. So, our Yoscolo intended to raid the missions and haciendas, hold Spanish men and women for ransom and make his way with the proceeds to Northern Mexico, all before O'Donnell should return. He knew the Americano could overwhelm him with those plains natives, if he wished. But O'Donnell had not yet gone to the plains. Yoscolo only became aware of this after he began raiding. Accordingly, he left the neighborhood of danger, and was on his way along the coast to Mexico, for safety, when we overtook him at Los Gatos." "Simply preposterous! Simply preposterous! what the Indian told you," puffed Barcelo. "Well, it was as good a way as any to pass a weary journey. But let's go to breakfast." "Whither went O'Donnell after the action at Los Gatos?" still persisted Señora Valentino. "After giving aid to the wounded in San José he rode to the house of Señor Mendoza." Señor Barcelo appeared on the veranda. "Crisostimo, will you kindly tell our amigos that breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes? Silvia and you, Crisostimo, help me show them rooms where they may prepare. Sister, love, have a care for your arm. Come, amigos, come." The guests were soon disposed to their rooms. As they left the breakfast table, Señora Valentino said to Morando: "Captain, shall we not continue the conversation interrupted by the ringing of the Angelus?" "With great pleasure, my señora." "Let us go into the courtyard garden." Colonel Barcelo and his councilors returned to the upper veranda. "I'll have to be at the castle when Morando turns these prisoners over to me formally, and withdraws his own men. I'll see to it that horses will be there for us, and we'll go out on a tour of inspection," Barcelo said. "How softly the morning light comes into the patio, Captain!" as they were sitting together under a locust tree. "I can scarcely realize that the same sun shines here and on that scene of death of few hours' ride away. As I sit here with you in this quiet and peace the other seems a dream, an awful dream, señora." "But you are with me, and yesterday has gone the way of all other days that are past. The future, if we are willing, may hold many happy years for us." "I pray so, my good señora." The señora lowered her eyes, and bowed gently. "Our lives are empty; yours, because it has never been filled. Hence there is greater hope for you than for me." "What do you mean, Captain?"