She also wrote another letter, to be posted, which was addressed to her father, requesting him to at once join his troops outside of Puerto Principe. "That will let him escape," she thought. "As for the lieutenant, I trust that he will be caught." It was dark when Cara kissed her mistress farewell and left the mansion, the guards allowing her to pass the gate without question. As she disappeared, Estella uttered a silent prayer that her strange mission might prove successful. The beautiful girl did not sleep throughout the warm, tropical night. From afar she heard the occasional discharge of firearms; but it was not this which kept her awake. She was thinking of her own wretched condition. If Cara failed, her case was indeed hopeless. CHAPTER XXXI. A PERILOUS ESCAPE--A GOOD SHOT. The morning dawned bright and warm. Outside of the mansion the numerous tropical birds sang loudly and merrily, utterly regardless of the horrible war which was bringing destruction upon every hand. An hour before Estella had dropped into a troubled doze, but now she roused up with a start. Day had come and she was just so many hours nearer her awful fate. As she lay upon the bed, still dressed, she brought from her bosom the little dagger, and toyed with it suggestively. In that sad hour it seemed to be her only friend. "Howard is dead," she mused, "and papa will not listen to my pleadings. Why should I not end it all?" The knock of a servant made her put the cruel bit of steel away. She bade the woman enter. "Breakfast is served, Doña Estella. Shall I bring it up to you?" "I want nothing, Luola," replied the beautiful girl, wearily. "I wish only to be alone. Say! Has my father left the mansion?" "Yes, he went at five o'clock." The servant departed, and Estella was left once more to herself. She walked to the window and looked out. With the coming of day the distant firing had ceased, and now no unusual sounds broke the stillness. The town, but a short distance away, seemed asleep, as was its usual wont in days of peace. "If papa is away, he may not receive the letter I sent, and if he comes back, and Cara should succeed----" She suddenly paused as she heard a hand upon her door. The next instant Cara glided in as silently as a shadow. "Hush!" said the maid, warningly, ere her mistress could speak. "I found Captain Martinez, and he says he cannot attack this place to-night. But he has sent help--six soldiers--who wait below at the entrance to the secret passage. Come at once, if you want to escape." "But the guards below----" began Estella. "They have just had their morning drink, and I drugged it well. They will be more than half asleep. We can get away from here easily, but it will be difficult to leave the city, dear mistress."