The only thing that Duval feared was that the loss of the opal might cause the priests to mistrust Cocom's story, and send out word far and wide that the sacred gem had been torn from the temple. It was true that they had gained a twelve hours' start, but, owing to the delicacy of Dolores' constitution, they had travelled very slowly to the coast, and at any moment messengers with news of the theft might arrive on the scene. In such an event, all the Indians on the coast would be examined as to whether a man and woman had passed seaward in company. Owing to their clothes being scattered in the gorge, the priests (supposing they did not trust these signs of death) would know they were disguised as Indians, therefore the dresses would avail them but little. Neither would the vow of silence be of much use, as in this crisis they would be questioned as to whom they were, to what tribe did they belong, and as neither of them could speak a word of Indian, the situation would become serious. The only hope, therefore, that they had of safety was of the arrival of Cocom without delay. If he arrived next morning, all would be well, if not, Jack discussed the advisability of taking a canoe, and proceeding at once to Tlatonac. At dawn next morning they were both eating a hurried meal in the cave, and talking over the advisability of making a retreat while it was yet time. "As soon as they find out the opal is missing, the whole country will rise in arms," said Jack, emphatically; "and every Indian will be questioned closely, both within and without the town." "But the news won't reach the coast for some time, Juan." "I question very much if it has not reached the coast now," replied Jack, a trifle drily. "From the end of that road are many other paths to the coast, so swift messengers might have passed us in that way. Let us hope, however, that this is not the case, and that Cocom will be the first to bring the news that the opal is lost." "Cocom will guess that I have taken the opal!" "Doubtless; and the question is whether he will permit you to take it to Tlatonac." "But why not, Juanito? I am the guardian of the opal. It is mine." "Querida, you are wrong. It is the property of Huitzilopochtli. You are only its guardian--a mere honorary position that does not entail possession of the stone. Its proper place, according to the Indian's superstition, is in the shrine of Totatzine." "But Cocom is a Christian. He will not care about my taking it." "Dios! I am not so sure of that, Dolores. Cocom, by his own profession, was brought up an idolater, and old habits cling. It is true that he was converted by the good Padre, and I have no doubt his Catholicism is very fair--for an Indian. But if he does not worship the war-god, he at least believes in the prophetic quotations of the Opal; and, thus believing, may resent it being taken from the shrine." "Then I will say nothing about it."