o, and now the doomed man was free again!

But surely not? With a squadron of cavalry in pursuit, canon booming,
bells ringing, every military post and picket for miles round on the
alert, surely four men chained two and two, conspicuous in a grand
carriage, could not eventually get off.

It might seem so; still the thing was possible, as Santa Anna had reason
to know. A man of many adventures, he had himself more than once eluded
a pursuing enemy with chances little better.

He sat chewing the cud of disappointment, though not patiently, nor
keeping all the time to his chair. Every now and then he rose to his
feet, made stumping excursions round the room, repeatedly touched the
bell, to inquire whether any news had been received of the fugitive
party.

The aide-de-camp in attendance could not help wondering at all this,
having had orders to report instantly whatever word should be brought
in. Besides, why should the great Generalissimo be troubling himself
about so small a matter as the escape of three or four prisoners,
seeming excited as if he had lost a battle.

The cause of this excitement the Dictator alone knew, keeping it to
himself. He was still in the dark as to certain details of what had
transpired, and had sent for the governor of the Acordada, who should be
able to supply them.

Meantime he went about muttering threats against this one and that one,
giving way to bitter reflections; one bitterest of all, that there had
been a suspicion of connivance at the escape of the prisoners. But to
this there was a sweet side as well; so some words uttered by him would
indicate.

"Ah, Condesa! You may be clever--you are. But if I find you've had a
hand in this, and it can be proved to the world, never was a woman in a
man's power more than you'll be in mine. Title, riches, family
influence, all will be powerless to shield you. In the cell of a prison
where I may yet have the pleasure of paying you a visit, you won't be
either so proud or so scornful as you've shown yourself in a palace this
same day. _Veremos_--we shall see."

"Don Pedro Arias."

It was an aide-de-camp announcing the Governor of the Acordada.

"Conduct him in."

Without delay the prison official was ushered into the presence, looking
very sad and cowed-like. Nor did the reception accorded him have a
restoring influence; instead, the reverse.

"What's all this I hear?" thundered out the disposer of punishments and
of places