same reason. Don Carlos de Ruiz will follow him
when I so choose. Have you anything to say to Senor Standish?"

"Nothing," answered Myra, after a moment of hesitation.

"Myra, if only----" said Standish hoarsely, and paused, gulping as if
he were choking. "I suppose it isn't any use attempting to say
anything," he added weakly.

"Except farewell," remarked Don Carlos ironically, and laid his hand on
Myra's arm. "Permit me to escort you to the door, senora mia, to
witness the departure of Senor Standish."

In the wake of Standish and his escort, he led Myra along the corridor
to the outer hall, and Myra, her senses acute, watched him closely as
he manipulated knobs which looked like part of the rocky wall and the
great door that looked like rock itself swung open.

"Lead the English senor forward carefully, and remember I have pledged
my word that he shall be returned safely to the castle of Don Carlos de
Ruiz," said Don Carlos in Spanish. "Farewell, senor," he added in
English. "You will have great stories to tell on your return to
England of your encounter with El Diablo Cojuelo and how you escaped
from him!"

Standish's face contorted in momentary passion, then with a sigh and a
gesture of utter despair he submitted himself to be led away by Mendoza
and Garcilaso. Myra, her face tense and white, took an involuntary
step forward, and instantly Don Carlos's hand closed on her arm.

"You forget, dear lady, that you are the price of his freedom, and your
place is with your husband," he said, as he drew her back into the hall
and touched a lever which released the door.

To Myra the clang of the door as it shut seemed like a death-knell.

Don Carlos took off his cowl and flung it aside, smoothed his jet-black
hair with his hands, and drew a long breath. His eyes and expression
were inscrutable as he gazed fixedly at Myra.

"Exit Mr. Antony Standish," he said slowly, after a pause. "One
chapter of your life is closed, Myra. Now another opens, the most
wonderful chapter of all, in which you will fulfil your destiny."

Myra suddenly found herself cold and trembling, and to gain time and
avoid Don Carlos's eyes she crossed the room to the radiator and held
out her shaking hands to its warmth.

"Are you frightened, Myra mine?" asked Don Carlos gently crossing to
her side. "Are you still afraid of love?"

"If this is your idea of love, I hate it!" responded Myra with sudden
passion. "You have humiliate