Robert caught her hand to steady her, and he held it for a moment. A mad fire seemed to race through his veins and he said unsteadily, “I am not taking good care of you. I am afraid you have hurt yourself, when I would rather have been battered to bits than that you should feel the slightest pain.” “Oh, it was nothing,” Patty answered faintly. “I think--I think maybe we’d better wait for the light.” He released her hand and they stood silent till the others came up. “Oh dear,” Patty was saying to herself. “Oh dear!” The caves were not much further ahead, for the splash of waves beating upon the sands was now heard distinctly. Doña Martina refused to cross the stretch of pebbly beach which lay between the wooded path and the sea. “Juan and I will wait here while you silly children go ahead,” she said. “I’ve just thought,” said Patty to Robert, “that I’ve written my wishes in English. Do you suppose the _inxanos_ understand anything but Spanish?” “Genii ought to understand everything,” returned he. “Mine are in English, too.” “Well there is some comfort in that, for if they can’t read mine, neither can they yours, and if you are denied your wishes so shall I be. There is the moon, Tomás; we shall not need the lantern. Leave it with Juan and Tina; it is much more romantic without it.” They reached the caves without difficulty. Strange structures they were; great archways rising each side the opening to the beach and obstructing a clear view of the sea till one had passed under or beyond them. “What wonderful little people the _inxanos_ must be to build such places,” said Patty’s companion as they solemnly deposited their wishes in a crevice of the caverns. “We shall think them more wonderful if they grant our wishes,” she said. Then she touched Tomás softly on the arm. “Come,” she said to him in Spanish. He followed willingly and they disappeared around the corner of the rocks. “Let us explore a little further,” said Patty. “I don’t want to go just yet. You know the place well, don’t you, Tomás?” “Perfectly.” “Then let us watch the moon on the water for a few minutes. If they get tired they can go on. They know it is light enough for us to find the way without the lantern. Do you mind, Tomás?” “When you have given me the flower from your hair?” “Don’t get sentimental. That was only a little joke. You see you are a sort of brother and I can ask you to do things because we seem both to be of one family.” “Yes, that is it of course. You have no other reason?” “Certainly I have not. Now, Tomás, don’t try to look heart-broken. You know it is simply pretense.” “How do I know? I am not at all sure.”