for on one side of it stood a bed covered with skin blankets, and on the
other a table provided with the best food that the country could offer.
At a sign from Soa he laid Juanna down upon the bed, whereon the woman
instantly threw a blanket over her, so as to hide her face from the
eyes of the curious. Then, of a sudden Leonard felt himself seized from
behind, and while his arms were held by two of the priests, a third,
under Soa's direction, removed his revolver and hunting knife, which
weapons were carried away.

"You treacherous hag!" said Leonard to Soa, "be careful lest I kill
you."

"To kill me, Deliverer, would be to kill yourself and another. These
things are taken from you because it is not safe that you should have
them; such toys are not for angry children. Stay," she said to a fourth
priest, "search his pockets."

The man did as he was ordered, placing everything that Leonard had about
him, such as his watch, Francisco's notebook and rosary, and the great
ruby stone, in a little pile upon the table. Presently he came to the
fragment of poison which was wrapped in a square of kid-skin. Soa took
it, and after examination said:

"Why, Deliverer, you have been borrowing medicine that will bring you
bad luck if you keep it," and going to a small aperture in the wall of
the cell, she threw the tiny packet out of it, and after it a second
packet which Leonard recognised as having been taken from Juanna's hair.

"There, now you cannot hurt yourself," she added in Portuguese. "Let me
tell you something: so long as you remain quiet all will be well, but
if you attempt violence or escape, then you shall be bound and placed by
yourself, also you will bring about the death of the Shepherdess yonder.
Be warned then by me, White Man, and turn gentle, for remember that my
day has come at last and you are in my power."

"That is very clear, my estimable friend," answered Leonard, controlling
his wrath as best he might. "But for your sake I hope that the hour will
never come when you shall be in mine, for then I may remember more than
you wish. I do not in the least understand what you are aiming at, nor
do I much care so long as a certain person is protected."

"Do not fear, Deliverer, she shall be protected. As you know well, I
hate you, and yet I keep you alive because without you she might die;
therefore, for her sake be careful. Attempt no violence towards me or my
father if we visit you alone, for we shall do