to which the
stubborn beasts that live in this sink will not send their brats!
There must be a parochial school in Simiti, supported by the people!
Oh, don't worry; there is gold enough here, buried in _patios_ and
under these innocent-looking mud walls, to support the Pope for a
decade--and that," he chuckled, "is no small sum!"

His eyes roved over Carmen and he began a mental appraisement of the
girl. "_Caramba!_" muttering half to himself, after he had feasted his
sight upon her for some moments, "but she is large for her age--and,
_Dios y diablo!_ a ravishing beauty!"

He stood for a while wrapped in thought. Then an idea seemed to filter
through his cunning brain. His coarse, unmoral face brightened, and
his thick lips parted in an evil smile.

"Come here, little one," he said patronizingly, extending his arms to
the child. "Come, give your good _Padre_ his morning kiss."

The girl shrank back in her chair and looked appealingly at Jose.

"No? Then I must come and steal it; and when you confess to good Padre
Jose you may tell him it was all my fault."

He started toward her. A look of horror came into the child's face and
she sprang from her seat. Jose swiftly rose. He seized Diego by the
shoulder and whirled him quickly about. His face was menacing and his
frame trembled.

"One moment, friend!" The voice was low, tense, and deliberate. "If
you lay a hand on that child I will strike you dead at my feet!"

Diego recoiled. _Cielo!_ was this the timid sheep that had stopped for
a moment in Banco on its way to the slaughter? But there was no
mistaking the spirit manifested now in that voice and attitude.

"Why, _amigo_!" he exclaimed, a foolish grin splitting his ugly
features. "Your little joke startled me!"

Jose motioned Carmen to leave.

"Be seated, Don Diego. It would be well to understand each other more
thoroughly."

Had Jose gone too far? He wondered. Heaven knew, he could not afford
to make enemies, especially at this juncture! But he had not misread
the thought coursing through the foul mind of Diego. And yet, violence
now might ruin both the child and himself. He must be wiser.

"I--I was perhaps a little hasty, _amigo_," he began in gentler tones.
"But, as you see, I have been quite wrought up of late--the news of
the revolution, and--in these past months there have been many things
to cause me worry. I--"

"Say no more, good friend," interrupted the oily Diego, his beady eyes
twinkling.