nted aloud. "'Confessions of a Roman Catholic Priest.'
_Bien_, I was correct in my surmise that I should some day have use
for this little volume. Poor, misguided Rincon! But--_Bien_, I think
it will do--I think it will do."

A smile played over his handsome, imperious face. Then he snapped the
book shut and took up his hat. At the door he hesitated a moment, with
his hand on the knob.

"If the Alcalde were not such a fool, it would be impossible," he
mused. "But--the combination--the isolation of Simiti--the imbecility
of Don Mario--the predicament of our little Jose--_Hombre_! it is a
rare situation, and it will work. It _must_ work--_cielo_! With the
pig-headed Alcalde seizing government arms to suppress the Church
party as represented by the foolish Jose, and with the President
sending federal troops to quell the disturbance, the anticlericals
will rise in a body throughout the country. Then Congress will hastily
pass the measure to support the President, the Church party will swing
into line with the Government--and the revolution will be on. Simiti
provides the setting and the fuel; I, the torch. I will cable again to
Ames when I leave the Governor." He swung the door open and went
briskly out.

* * * * *

"Padre, I am crushed."

It was Rosendo who spoke. He and Jose were sitting out in the
gathering dusk before the parish house on the evening of the day that
Ana's babe had been christened. The old man's head was sunk upon his
breast, and he rocked back and forth groaning aloud.

"We must be brave, Rosendo," returned Jose tenderly. "We have gone
through much, you and I, since I came to Simiti. But--we have believed
it to be in a good cause. Shall we surrender now?"

"But, Padre, after it all, to have her babe come into the world blind!
God above! The poor child--the poor child! Padre, it is the last thing
that I can endure. My ambition is gone. I cannot return now to
Guamoco. Let come what may, I am done."

"Rosendo," said Jose, drawing his chair closer to the old man, and
laying a hand on his, "we have fought long and hard. But, if I mistake
not, the greatest struggle is yet to come. The greatest demand upon
your strength and mine is still to be made."

Rosendo raised his head. "What mean you, Padre?"

Jose spoke low and earnestly. "This: Juan returned from Bodega Central
this evening. He reports that several large boxes are there, consigned
to Don Mario, and