It's
somewhere up in the mountains. But with the country all around so
occupied by troops it would seem an unsafe place. I trust they've got
over the Sierra, and down to Acapulco. If they have, we needn't feel so
very anxious about them."

"Why not, Ysabel?"

"Why not? Ah! that's a question you haven't yet come to understand.
But never mind the reason now. You'll know it in good time; and when
you do, I've no fear but you'll be satisfied; your father too."

Don Ignacio's daughter was both puzzled and surprised at the strange
words. But she knew the Countess had strange ways; and, though a bosom
friend, was not without some secrets she kept to herself. This was one
of them, no doubt, and she forebore pressing for an explanation.

What the Condesa hinted at was that disaffection in the south, the
expected _pronunciamento_, which, if successful, would not only depose
the Dictator, but of course also his Cabinet Ministers, her friend's
father among them. With some knowledge of coming events, she declined
imparting this to the Dona Luisa through delicacy. Right was she, also,
in her surmise as to the messenger; none had been intercepted, none
having been sent out, just for the reason surmised by her.

They had made a turn or two of the grounds, thus conversing, when both
came to a sudden stop, simultaneously uttering exclamations of alarm,
"_Santissima_!" and "_Madre de Dios_!"

"What can it be?" gasped Dona Luisa. "Is it a man?"

No wonder she should so doubtingly interrogate, since her question
referred to that strange creature on the top of the wall, seeming more
ape than human being.

That he was human, however, was to be proved by his being gifted with
the power of speech, put forth on the instant after. Before the
Countess could make answer to the question (of course overheard by him),
he interposed, saying--

"Pray, don't be alarmed, your ladyships, at a poor miserable creature
like me. I know that my body is anything but shapely; but my soul--
that, I trust, is different. But, Senoritas, surely you remember me?"

While speaking, he had raised himself into an upright attitude, and the
moonlight falling upon him showed his shape in all its grotesqueness of
outline. This, with his words, at once recalled their having seen him
before. Yes; it was the _enano_, whom the big Texan had swung up to the
box of their carriage.

Astonishment hindering reply to his interrogatory, he continued--

"W