And when home he went not to his own quarters in the coachyard, but straight into the _patio_--the private court of the house. There he encountered Pepita; soon as he set eyes on her, asking-- "Where are the _Senoritas_?" "What's that to you?" saucily retorted the maid. "Nothing, if I only knew they were safe." "Safe! Why what's the man thinking--talking about? Have you lost your senses, _hombre_?" "No, Pepita. But the ladies have lost something. Look here!" He had plunged both his hands into his pockets, and drawn them out again full of things that scintillated in the moonlight--watches and jewellery of different kinds, as she saw. With a woman's curiosity, gliding swiftly forward to examine them, she recognised every article at a glance, amazement overspreading her countenance, as it lately had his. "_Ay de mi_!" she exclaimed, no longer in jesting tone. "What does it all mean, Jose?" "Just what I want to know myself, and why I am asking after the Senoritas. But where are they?" "In the garden, or the grounds somewhere. They strolled out about an hour ago, and haven't been in since." "Pray God, they're still alive! Come with me, Pepita. Let us look for them. I have terrible fears." So appealed to, the girl gave ready assent; and side by side they hastened towards the rear of the house, behind which were the ornamental grounds extending backwards. But they had not far to go before hearing sounds that set their minds at rest, removing all anxiety--the voices of the ladies themselves. They were not only alive, but laughing! To Jose and Pepita this seemed strange as anything else--a perfect mystery. Merry after parting with all those pretty things; costly, too--worth hundreds of _doblones_! Withal, they were so; their lightness of heart due to the knowledge thus gained, that their own lovers were still living and safe; and something of merriment, added by that odd encounter with the _enano_, of which they were yet conversing. If their behaviour mystified their servants, not less were they themselves puzzled when Jose presented himself before them with hands held out, saying: "I ask your pardon for intruding, but don't these belong to your ladyships?" They saw their watches and other effects obtained from them by "false pretences," as they were now to learn. The revelation that succeeded put an end to their joyous humour; their hearts that had been light for a moment were now becoming heavier than ever. The treachery of the hunchback and his intentions were manifest. He meant to guide Santander and his soldiers to the old monastery, where they would take the _patriotas_ by surprise. "What is to be done, Ysabel?" despairingly asked the Donna Luisa. "How can we give them warning?" To which the _cochero_, not the Countess, made answer, saying: "I can do that, _Senorita_."