The gaol-governor, making humble obeisance, silently awaited the examination, as a witness in the box who fears he may himself soon stand in the dock. "To begin: why did you send those four prisoners out with the chain-gang?" "By order of Colonel Santander, Sire. He said it was your Excellency's wish." "Humph! Well, that's comprehensible. And so far you're excusable. But how came it you didn't see to their being better guarded?" "Sire, I placed them in charge of the chief turnkey--a man named Dominguez--whom I had found most trustworthy on other occasions. To-day being exceptional, on account of the ceremonies, he was pressed to take drink, and, I'm sorry to say, got well-nigh drunk. That will explain his neglect of duty." "It seems there were two ladies in the carriage. You know who they were, I suppose?" "By inquiry I have ascertained, your Excellency. One was the Countess Almonte the other Don Luisa Valverde, as your Excellency will know, the daughter of him to whom the equipage belonged." "Yes, yes. I know all that. I have been told the carriage made stop directly opposite to where these men were at work. Was that so?" "It was, Sire." "And have you heard how the stoppage came about?" "Yes, _Excellentissimo_. The horses shied at something, and brought the wheels into a bank of mud. Then the _cochero_, who appears to be a stupid fellow, pulled them up, when he ought to have forced them on. While they were at rest the four _forzados_ made a rush, two right into the carriage, the other two up to the box; one of these last, the big _Tejano_, getting hold of the reins and whip, and driving off at a gallop. They had only one sentry to pass in the direction of San Francisco. He, like Dominguez, was too far gone in drink, so there was nothing to stop them--except the guards at the garitas. And, I am sorry to say, the sergeant at El Nino Perdita let them pass through without so much as challenging. His account is that, seeing the carriage belonged to one of your Excellency's Ministers, he never thought of stopping it, and should not. Why should he, Sire?" This touch of obsequious flattery seemed to mollify the Dictator's wrath, or it had by this otherwise expended itself, as evinced by his rejoinder in a more tranquil tone. Indeed, his manner became almost confidential. "Don Pedro," he said, "I'm satisfied with the explanation you give, so far as regards your own conduct in the affair. But now, tell me, do you think the ladies who were in the carriage had anything to do with the drawing up of the horses? Or was it all an accident?" "Will your Excellency allow me a moment to reflect? I had thought something of that before; but--" "Think of it again. Take time, and give me your opinion. Let it be a truthful one, Don Pedro; there's much depending on it."