"Tell me where that leads to?" said Howard, pointing from the window to the road Estella had pursued in her hasty flight. "To the upper end of the town--up among the creoles," replied Dilwoddy. "Odd neighborhood, too." "I should like to take a look at it," said Howard, getting up as he spoke. "You want to go there now?" "Yes. But you need not come unless you wish." "Oh, I'll come fast enough, Sherwood. I can't sleep these hot nights. But say"--he paused--"you have an object in view?" "Perhaps I have." "Oh, well, I won't ask foolish questions. But take care and don't run us too far into the lion's mouth." Howard laughed, and the pair soon found themselves walking on in the semi-darkness. Howard hoped to meet Estella; yet he knew how hopeless his task might be in such a crowded neighborhood. "The soldiery are approaching!" exclaimed Dilwoddy, presently. "Come behind this house, and let them pass. They might arrest us for prowling about in the dark." He dragged Howard out of sight, and a moment later half a dozen men in Spanish uniform hurried past, at the head of them the captain, whose insult to Estella the young war correspondent had so manfully resented. "This is the house!" the captain cried, as he halted the men about fifty feet farther on. And then came the cry: "Open in the name of the King of Spain!" A cry broke from Howard. Had they found Estella's hiding-place? Eagerly he listened to the outcome of the demand. A painful silence, another demand, and the door was flung open, and the soldiers and the officer entered. "Now we can go on," said Dilwoddy; but instead of replying, Howard bade him a sudden good-night and ran off to a spot behind the house that had been thus suddenly invaded. The young war correspondent had caught a passing glimpse of a flying figure--a figure he knew only too well. It was Estella, who had left the house by a rear exit, and who, accompanied by the faithful Cara, was doing her best to escape. "Estella!" he called, softly, as he came up. She turned in alarm, then gave a cry of joy, and almost fell into his arms. Never had he been so tempted to snatch a kiss from her cherry-red lips. But time was precious. The soldiers in the house had already reached the back door, and were peering out, holding their torches over their heads. "Do you know the way?" demanded Howard, addressing Cara. "My maid does," put in Estella. "Quick, Cara, lead on to a safer place than this." The three were running at top speed, and now four of the soldiers were coming after them, waving their torches over their heads. Howard started to take Estella by the arm, but she stumbled and fell. Quickly the young war correspondent lifted her in his arms. The soldiers were now less than a rod behind them. "Stop, or we will fire!" shouted the leader, in Spanish. They made no reply, but dove out of sight into some shrubbery that lined the road. Then Cara caught Howard by the arm. "This way--come!" she said, in broken English.