The holy Father's request was not disregarded, and he was soon busily employed in discussing the viands set before him, failing not to do ample justice to Rosa's cookery, during which time he would not answer a word to the numerous questions put to him; but, having finished, and wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his gown, giving a last pull at his bottle of wine, his tongue was loosened, and all the party bent their heads forward to listen to what he had to communicate; the subject of the conversation being such as to oblige them to speak in tones not loud enough to be heard beyond their immediate circle. "What news do you bring us, Senhor Padre?" asked one of those who had lost at cards. "Have we a chance of picking up a little booty? for we are very low in the world." "Ah, my son, always thinking of lucre and worldly gain," answered the Friar, laughing, "but I am in an amiable humour, and will not tantalise you long." "Well, Padre, no delay; out with your news," exclaimed several of the party, bending still closer round him, with eager expression of countenance. "Know then, my sons, that there is a chance of some work to-morrow morning which may fill our empty pockets; but recollect, we all share alike; I am not to employ my wits, and to wear myself into a phantom to gain all the information, and then to allow my convent to be deprived of the just profits." "Never fear, Senhor Padre, your convent shall not suffer in the division," said the Innkeeper; "but come, let us hear your news." "'Tis this, then. As I passed through the village of Santa Cruz, I learned that the noble Senhor Goncalo Christovao and his family are staying at the Quinta of the Conde de Villarey, on their way to Lisbon, and their mules and litters are to be in readiness to start to-morrow morning at daybreak, they having the intention of breakfasting here. So there's a double chance for you, Senhor Estalajadeiro. You first get well paid in an honest way for the stewed cats and tough old cocks you furnish them; and then our friends here will reap the harvest that remains, no slight one, if I mistake not; for there are, besides Senhor Christovao and and his fair daughter, Donna Clara, so I learned, three maid-servants, all of whom, depend on it, will be decked out in their gold ornaments, though they will make some slight fuss in delivering them; and then there are the escudeiro and three other servants, who will run away on the first show of a blunderbuss, as will, probably, the whole troop of muleteers who accompany them." "Bravo, most holy friar! you deserve our warmest thanks for your services to us," exclaimed one of the party; "and where would you advise us to wait till our friends pass?"