e latter's house. "_Hombre_!" he
cried, his whole frame tremulous with agitation, "do you know what you
are doing? Do you--"

"_Na_, Padre," replied Rosendo gently, as he held up a restraining
hand, "it is best. I want the _Americanos_ to take Carmen. She is not
safe another day here. The soldiers left but yesterday. They may
return any hour. At any moment an order might come for your arrest or
mine. We must get her away at once. We can do no more for her here.
The struggle has been long, and I weary of it." He sat down in
exhaustion and mopped his damp brow. "I weary of life, Padre. I would
be through with it. I am old. This world can hold little more for me.
If I can but know that she is safe--_Bien_, that is all. From what we
have learned, this country will soon be plunged again into war. I do
not wish to live through another revolution. I have seen many. I seem
to have fought all my life. And for what? What is La Libertad to me?
Nothing--less than nothing. I have not the funds to work it. I doubt
if I could even hold it, were it known here that I had the title to
such a famous mine. But the _Americano_ can hold it. And he is honest,
Padre. He will save Carmen's interest, and deal fairly with her.
_Bien_, let him place her in a school in the States. If you weather
the oncoming revolution, then you may be able to send for her. _Quien
sabe_?"

Jose controlled himself. "Rosendo," he said, "I will go with her."

The old man looked at him quizzically. "Do you mean, Padre, that you
will leave the Church?"

Jose kept silent for some time. Then he spoke bitterly.

"Can I remain longer in Simiti, where the people have become
divided--where they look upon me askance, as the cause of the trouble
that has befallen them? Is not my usefulness here ended? War is at our
door. What, think you, will it mean to Simiti? To us? And Wenceslas,
what has he further in store for you and me? What he has for Carmen,
we well know. And we seek by flight to save her. But the disappearance
of Diego has not been explained. The trick which Anita played upon
Morales to save Carmen must bring down increased wrath upon our heads,
especially yours and mine. No, Rosendo, you and I must go, and go at
once!"

"And Anita--?"

"We will pick her up in Cartagena. Don Jorge will accompany us.
I have certain information to give him that will enlist his
services--information which, I think, will serve to introduce him
to His Grace, and somewhat abruptly