"Done! Why, my council and I were to inspect some irrigating ditches in the hills, to see the dams were well built and all that, so the town would be in no danger of inundation. Do you understand?" The Colonel glared around. "Well, the horses were tied outside the castle for the use of myself and my council in this work of inspection--in this work of inspection, do you understand? Well, your men looked bedraggled and tired, Morando. I didn't wait for you to come, but relieved them and put my own soldiers on guard." "But the prisoners----" Morando began. "That's just what I'm coming to. Do be patient! In the exchange of guards some of the prisoners walked out--coolest thing I ever heard of--took rifles from the racks, and actually mounted the horses in front of the castle, and rode away! I tell you, _rode away_!" Barcelo paused for breath. "I saw them going and gave the alarm," he went on, after a moment. "Yes, I saw that rascal Stanislaus riding--riding away to safety. I saw it myself--I saw----" Further words failed the Colonel. The sound of cavalry was heard in the street. "The pursuit!" cried Morando and started for the patio gate. "Yes, yes, the pursuit!" panted Barcelo and rolled after him. Señora Valentino listened while Morando's clarion voice ordered the movements of the cavalry, and heard the noise of the horses' hoofs die out in a distant rumble. "Our Colonel was out of breath and could not order the march of his men, therefore our valiant Captain does it for him!" she thought. Then she smiled bitterly. "I have laid bare my very soul before that man, and he could see nothing. He saw only that child, Carmelita Mendoza. What fatality is it that closes the eyes of the one man to me and makes him see only this miss of the province?" Again, after a little: "Yes, I'll see his señorita for him, tell her he loves her, and doesn't mean his blunderings. Yes, I'll tell her. The fool! Yes, I'll----" The señora walked away, her eyes glittering. CHAPTER XX BITTER SWEET "Carmelita, little heart, how is it with thee?" "Well, señora doña; many thanks. And thou?" "As you see." Señora Valentino held up her injured wrist neatly bandaged. "I could not allow many days to go by without riding over to thank you and your father, the noble Señor Administrator, for the wonderful night of enjoyment you gave us in that grand baile. The thought of it fairly possesses me now, as it was some beautiful dream and I was scarce awake from sleep. A thousand thanks, señorita doña, to you and to Señor Mendoza. I hope the señor is well." Señora Valentino and Carmelita were standing within the reception room, near the open doorway, of the Mendoza hacienda house. The grateful coolness of the hall was in strong contrast to the heat of the summer sun which lay over grounds and house.