"You mean the Imperialists have whipped Escobedo, that----" "Not so fast, mi general. If they had, wouldn't I want you to hurry, for then there'd be a conquering Empire waiting for you?" "Colonel Driscoll," said Regules, "fall back a step. I'm going to kill this fellow now." "As you wish, general. But he's got something to tell." "Then por Dios, why doesn't he?" "Yes, Tibby, why don't you?" Don Tiburcio cocked a puzzled head toward the American. He had not known such softness of voice in Mendez's former captain of Lancers. But he saw that Driscoll had drawn his pistol, which accorded so grimly with the mildness of his tone that the scout chuckled in delight and admiration. "You know that I'll tell--now," he said reproachfully. "In a word, there's been no battle at all, curse him, curse both----" "No battle! Escobedo kept away then?" "No, not even that. The Imperialists would not fight, and the Empire has lost its last chance. Curse them both, curse----" "Well, curse away, but who, what?" "I curse, senores mios," and the scout's words grated in rage and chagrin, "I curse His Excellency the general-of-division-in-chief of the army of operations, Don Leonardo Marquez. I curse, senores, the Reverend Senor Abbot, Padre Augustin Fischer----" "Good, that's finished. Now tell us why there was no battle." "I curse His Ex----" "You have already, but now----" Tiburcio flung up his hand in a gesture of assent, and his ugly features relaxed. Though going at a brisk trot, he rolled a cigarette and lighted it. Then he told his story. Queretero? Ha, Queretero was now the Court, the Army, the Empire! Pious townsmen shouted "Viva el Senor Emperador!" all day long. The cafes were alive with uniforms and oaths and high play. Padres and friars shrived with ardor. There was the theatre. Fashion promenaded under the beautiful Alameda trees, and whispered the latest rumors of the Empress Carlota. Maximilian decorated the brave, and bestowed gold fringed standards. Then came Escobedo and his Legion del Norte, but they kept behind the hills. Bueno, the Empire would go forth and smite them, and the pious townspeople climbed to the housetops to see it done. And yesterday morning the Empire, with banners flying and clarion blasts, did march out and form in glittering battle array. "And then, hombre?" "And then the Empire marched back again, senores." Regules and Driscoll were stupefied. What gross idiocy--or treachery--had thrown away the Empire's one magnificent chance? Tiburcio sucked in his breath. "I curse----" "Marquez?" cried Regules. "Si senor, Marquez! Marquez cried out against the attack, and His Majesty ordered the troops back into town again." "But Miramon, hombre? Miramon, the best among you, where was he?"