wo after the shafts of their implements came into
collision accidentally, it appeared. He would indeed have been
sharp-witted who could have supposed it intentional, and lynx-eyed to
have seen that scrap of twisted paper passed from one to the other--the
second transfer dexterously done as the first. All any one could have
told was, that the two scavengers seemed sorry for what had occurred,
made mutual apologies, then separated to the full length of their
coupling-chain, and went to work again, looking meek and innocent as
lambs.

It was now Rivas' turn to prove himself possessed of quick wit. He had
reason to think the letter required immediate reading; and how was this
to be done? To be seen at it would surely bring the sentries upon him,
even though Dominguez was not there. And for them to get possession of
it--that was a calamity perhaps worst of all! Possibly to compromise
the writer; and well knew he who that was.

For a time he was perplexed, looking in all directions, and thinking of
every way possible for him to read the letter unobserved. But none did
seem possible. He could stoop down, so as to be unseen by those passing
along the sidewalk; but close to the sewer's edge were two or three of
the sentries, who would still command view of him.

All at once a look of satisfaction came over his countenance, as his
eyes rested on a side drain, which entered the main one, like many
others, from adjacent dwellings. He had just scraped the mud out of its
mouth, and was close to it.

The very thing, was his thought--the very place for his purpose. And
shortly after he might have been seen standing before it, in bent
attitude, his arms busy with his shovel, but his eyes and thoughts
busier with a sheet of paper which lay at the bottom of the branch
drain, some two or three feet inside it. It was the _billetita_, and
though the creases were but hastily pressed out, he contrived to make
himself master of its contents. They were but brief and legibly
written--the script familiar to him.

"Querido,--Soon after receiving this--say, half an hour--look for a
carriage--landau shut up--two ladies inside--pair of large
horses--_frisones_--grey. When opposite, be ready--with him who shares
your chain. Leave manners in the mud--make a rush, storm the carriage,
eject the occupants rudely--violently--and take their places. You can
trust the _cochero_. Some danger in the attempt, I know; but more if
not made. Y