denly that the priest did not appear to be treating
the ceremony seriously, and the thought flashed into her mind that
possibly "Padre Sancho" was only one of the brigands deputed by Don
Carlos to play a part, and the whole proceeding was as much bluff as
had been the preparations to torture Tony Standish.

"Is he fooling me again?" wondered Myra, as Padre Sancho gabbled
through the rest of the service, closed his book and raised his right
hand as if bestowing a blessing, whereupon some of the brigands behind
and around him began to cheer. They cheered more lustily still when
their hooded chief put his arm round Myra's shoulders with an air of
possession.

"Mother Dolores will escort you to your room, Myra," said Don Carlos.
"Forgive your bridegroom for not accompanying you. I have to arrange
for the release of Senor Standish."

CHAPTER XVII

Myra was infinitely glad to escape, and she flung herself down in a
chair with a sigh that was half a sob when she reached her bedroom.

"You may go, Dolores," she said, and motioned away the old woman, who
had been murmuring congratulations.

"Si, maestra, buena maestra," said Dolores smilingly, as she withdrew.

"'Maestra?'--That means 'mistress,'" ruminated Myra. "In what sense is
it used? He used the word when he addressed his men after the
mock-marriage. 'Nueva maestra,' I think he called me. That must mean
'new mistress.' His new mistress! How many mistresses have there
been--and what is going to happen to me? ... Oh, why didn't Tony play
the man!"

Time passed and the suspense was becoming almost unbearable when the
sound of heavy footsteps in the rocky corridor made Myra's heart jump
convulsively. She started to her feet as the door opened to reveal Don
Carlos, still wearing his cowl. Behind him were Garcilaso and Mendoza
with Standish, now fully dressed and with a bandage round his eyes,
between them.

"Does the Senora Cojuelo wish to say farewell to the lover who
renounced her?" inquired Don Carlos, with a note of mockery in his
voice. "I am now about to redeem my promise and have him escorted back
unharmed to the Castillo de Ruiz."

"Why are his eyes bandaged?" asked Myra sharply. "What has happened to
him?"

"Nothing has happened," Don Carlos assured her. "The bandage is merely
a precautionary measure. He was brought here blindfolded, so that he
might have no idea as to the location of my mountain nest. He leaves
blindfolded for the