RED.

Pepita it was, though in a different style of dress to what he had been
accustomed to see her in; as at New Orleans she had not kept to her
national costume. Besides, there was a _soupcon_ of shabbiness about
her present attire, and then the shoeless feet!

"Dismissed the Valverde service--out of a situation--poor girl!"

He would not have so pityingly reflected, had he seen her as she was but
a short half-hour before, in a pretty muslin dress, snow-white
stockings, and blue satin slippers. Since then she had made a change in
her toilet under direction and by help of the Condesa, who had attired
her in a way more befitting the task intended.

Kearney, in full belief of her being a discharged servant, remembering
her many little kindnesses to himself in the Casa de Calvo, was about to
call her up, and speak a word of sympathy for old time's sake.
Dominguez was still absent, and the nearest sentry engaged in a chaffing
encounter with some one in the crowd.

Just then he observed a slight tremor of her head, and with a sudden
movement of the hand which seemed to say, "No, don't speak to me." She,
too, could talk that mute language, so well understood in her country.

So restrained, he kept silent; to see her now glance furtively around,
as if to make sure no one else was observing her. She had again closed
the scarf over her face, but in the hand that held it under her chin
something white--a piece of paper he supposed--appeared; just for one
instant, then drawn under. Another significant look accompanied this
gesture, saying plain as word could speak it:--

"You see what I've got for you; leave the action all to me."

He did, for he could not do otherwise; he was fixed to this spot, she
foot free. And the use she now made of this freedom was to walk
straight out into the street, though not as coming to him; instead, her
steps, as her eyes were directed towards Cris Rock and the hunchback,
who were at work some paces further on. She seemed bent on making a
closer inspection of the odd pair, nor would any one suppose she had
other object in crossing over to them. No one did, save Kearney
himself. Rivas had been again ordered into the sewer, and was at work
in it. Besides, he did not know Pepita, though he was the one she most
wished to be near. Chiefly for him was the communication she had to
make.

It could not be, however, without a demonstration likely to be observed,
therefore dangerous. But