alley,
between two high hedges that hid it from the end of the garden. Its
grass-grown walk and untrimmed hedges showed that it was seldom used.
Carroll, still keeping close to Pereo's side, felt him suddenly stop
and tremble. "Look!" he said, pointing to a shadowy figure some
distance before them; "look, 'tis Maruja, and alone!"

With a dexterous movement, Carroll managed to slip his arm securely
through the old man's, and even to throw himself before him, as if in
his eagerness to discern the figure.

"'Tis Maruja--and alone!" said Pereo, trembling. "Alone! Eh! And the
Coyote is not here!" He passed his hand over his staring eyes. "So."
Suddenly he turned upon Carroll. "Ah, do you not see, it is a trick!
The Coyote is escaping with Faquita! Come! Nay; thou wilt not? Then
will I!" With an unexpected strength born of his madness, he freed his
arm from Carroll and darted down the alley. The figure of Maruja,
evidently alarmed at his approach, glided into the hedge, as Pereo
passed swiftly by, intent only on his one wild fancy. Without a
further thought of his companion or even the luckless Faquita, Carroll
also plunged through the hedge, to intercept Maruja. But by that time
she was already crossing the upper end of the lawn, hurrying towards
the entrance to the patio. Carroll did not hesitate to follow. Keeping
in view the lithe, dark, active little figure, now hidden by an
intervening cluster of bushes, now fading in the gathering evening
shadows, he nevertheless did not succeed in gaining upon her until she
had nearly reached the patio. Here he lost ground, as turning to the
right, instead of entering the court-yard, she kept her way toward the
stables. He was near enough, however, to speak. "One moment, Miss
Saltonstall," he said hurriedly; "there is no danger. I am alone. But
I must speak with you."

The young girl seemed only to redouble her exertions. At last she
stopped before a narrow door hidden in the wall, and fumbled in her
pocket for a key. That moment Carroll was upon her.

"Forgive me, Miss Saltonstall--Maruja; but you must hear me! You are
safe, but I fear for your maid, Faquita!"

A little laugh followed his speech; the door yielded and opened to her
vanishing figure. For an instant the lace shawl muffling her face was
lifted, as the door closed and locked behind her. Carroll drew back in
consternation. It was the laughing eyes and saucy face of Faquita!

CHAPTER XII