endo, it would mean your own death, or lifelong
imprisonment!"

"And what of that, Padre?" said the old man with awful calmness. "I
have nothing that is not hers, even to my life. Gladly would I give it
for her. Let me die, or spend my remaining days in the prison, if that
will save her. Such a price for her safety would be low."

While he was speaking, Fernando, the town constable, entered. He
saluted the men gravely, and drew from his pocket a document to which
was attached the Alcalde's official seal.

"Senores," he said with much dignity, as if the majesty of his little
office weighed upon him, "I am commanded by Senor, the Alcalde, to
exercise the authority reposing in him and place Don Rosendo Ariza
under arrest. You will at once accompany me to the _carcel_," he
added, going up to the astonished Rosendo and laying a hand upon his
shoulder.

"Arrest! Me! _Hombre_! what have I done?" cried the old man, stepping
back.

"_Bien_, _amigo_, I do not find it my duty to tell you. The Senor
Alcalde hands me the document and commands me to execute it. As for
the cause--_Bien_, you must ask him."

"Come," said Jose, the first to recover from his astonishment, "let us
go to him at once." He at any rate had now an opportunity to confront
Don Mario and learn what plans the man had been devising these many
months.

The Alcalde received the men in his little _patio_, scowling and
menacing. He offered them no greeting when they confronted him.

"Don Mario," asked Jose in a trembling voice, "why have you put this
indignity upon our friend, Rosendo? Who orders his arrest?"

"Ask, rather, _Senor Padre_," replied the Alcalde, full of wrath,
"what alone saves you from the same indignity. Only that you are a
priest, _Senor Padre_, _nada mas_! His arrest is ordered by Padre
Diego."

"And why, if I may beg the favor?" pursued Jose, though he well knew
the sordid motive.

"Why? _Caramba_! Why lay the hands of the law upon those who deprive a
suffering father of his child! _Bien_, _Fernando_," turning to the
constable, "you have done well. Take your prisoner to the _carcel_."

"No!" cried Rosendo, drawing back. "No, Don Mario, I will not go to
the jail! I will--"

"_Caramba!_" shouted the Alcalde, his face purple. "I set your trial
for to-morrow, in the early morning. But this night you will spend in
the jail! _Hombre!_ I will see if I am not Alcalde here! And look you,
_Senor Padre_, if there is any disturbance, I will se