But surely not? With a squadron of cavalry in pursuit, canon booming, bells ringing, every military post and picket for miles round on the alert, surely four men chained two and two, conspicuous in a grand carriage, could not eventually get off. It might seem so; still the thing was possible, as Santa Anna had reason to know. A man of many adventures, he had himself more than once eluded a pursuing enemy with chances little better. He sat chewing the cud of disappointment, though not patiently, nor keeping all the time to his chair. Every now and then he rose to his feet, made stumping excursions round the room, repeatedly touched the bell, to inquire whether any news had been received of the fugitive party. The aide-de-camp in attendance could not help wondering at all this, having had orders to report instantly whatever word should be brought in. Besides, why should the great Generalissimo be troubling himself about so small a matter as the escape of three or four prisoners, seeming excited as if he had lost a battle. The cause of this excitement the Dictator alone knew, keeping it to himself. He was still in the dark as to certain details of what had transpired, and had sent for the governor of the Acordada, who should be able to supply them. Meantime he went about muttering threats against this one and that one, giving way to bitter reflections; one bitterest of all, that there had been a suspicion of connivance at the escape of the prisoners. But to this there was a sweet side as well; so some words uttered by him would indicate. "Ah, Condesa! You may be clever--you are. But if I find you've had a hand in this, and it can be proved to the world, never was a woman in a man's power more than you'll be in mine. Title, riches, family influence, all will be powerless to shield you. In the cell of a prison where I may yet have the pleasure of paying you a visit, you won't be either so proud or so scornful as you've shown yourself in a palace this same day. _Veremos_--we shall see." "Don Pedro Arias." It was an aide-de-camp announcing the Governor of the Acordada. "Conduct him in." Without delay the prison official was ushered into the presence, looking very sad and cowed-like. Nor did the reception accorded him have a restoring influence; instead, the reverse. "What's all this I hear?" thundered out the disposer of punishments and of places; "you've been letting your prisoners bolt from you in whole batches. I suppose by this time the Acordada will be empty." "_Excellentissimo_! I am very sorry to say that four of them--" "Yes; and of the four, two of them you had orders to guard most strictly--rigorously." "I admit it, Sire, but--" "Sirrah! you needn't waste words excusing yourself. Your conduct shall be inquired into by-and-by. What I want now is to know the circumstances--the exact particulars of this strange affair. So answer the questions I put to you without concealment or prevarication."