cluse way of life. By the life of my father, I am a man so
artless, so meek, so tractable and obedient, that I will never do more
than I am bidden. If any one of you should please to say, 'Maestro, sit
down here; Maestro, step this way, step that way, go yonder,' I will do
just as you bid me, like the tamest and best trained dog that jumps for
the king of France."

"Well, if that be so," said the inexperienced Leonora, "what is to be
done, so that the senor maestro may come in?"

"Nothing can be easier," said Loaysa. "So please you, ladies, just take
the trouble to make an impression on wax with the key of this door; and
I will take care that by to-morrow night another shall be made exactly
like it, which will answer our purpose."

"With that key," one of the women remarked, "we shall have those of the
whole house, for it is a master-key."

"So much the better," said Loaysa.

"That is true," said Leonora; "but this senor must first of all swear,
that when he is inside here he will not attempt to do anything but sing
and play when he is asked, and that he will keep close and quiet
wherever we may put him."

"I swear to this," said Loaysa.

"That oath is good for nothing," replied Leonora: "the senor must swear
by the life of his father, and by the cross, which he must kiss in sight
of us all."

"I swear by the life of my father," said Loaysa, "and by this sign of
the cross, which I kiss with my unworthy mouth;" and crossing two of his
fingers, he kissed them three times.

"That will do," said one of the women; "and now, senor, be sure you
don't forget the powder, for that is the main thing of all."

Here the conversation ended for that night, and all parties retired
highly satisfied with the interview. Good luck had evidently declared in
favour of Loaysa; and just then, about two o'clock in the morning, it
brought his friends to the door. On their giving the usual signal by
blowing a French horn, he went to the door, told them what progress he
had made, and asked had they brought the powder or other drug to put
Carrizales to sleep. At the same time, he spoke to them respecting the
master-key. They told him that on the following night they would bring
the powder, or else an ointment of such virtue that one had only to rub
the patient's wrists and temples with it to throw him into such a
profound sleep, that he would not wake for two days, unless the
anointed parts were well washed with vinegar. As to the key,