be kept.

But if he found no money, an article turned up, which no little
surprised himself and his comrade--a stiletto!

"_Caspita_!" he exclaimed, as his hand touched something hard in the
waistband of the dwarfs breeches, stuck behind his back. "What have we
here? As I live, a dagger!" drawing it out and holding it to the light.
"Silver-hilted, too! Yes; it's silver, sure; and blade beautifully
chased--worth a _doblone_, at the very least!"

"Half mine," interrupted Perico, putting in his claim.

"All right, _camardo_. We'll settle that by-and-by. Now, you limb of
Satan!" he continued to the hunchback, "you told us the footpads had
stripped you clean. How do you explain this?"

"Easily enough, your worship. They only thought of trying in my
pockets, and the stiletto being there behind where you've found it,
luckily they overlooked it."

"Oh, indeed!" doubtingly rejoined the corporal; "and pray how did you
become possessed of it, _Senor Enano_? A dagger worth a _doblone_ isn't
a likely thing for such as you to be owner of--that is, in an honest
way."

"I admit, your worship, it isn't likely. For all, I came honestly by
the article. It's an heirloom in our family; belonged to my
great-great-grandfather, and's descended through several generations.
For know, Senor, my ancestors were not deformed like poor me. Some of
them were gallant soldiers, as yourself. Indeed, one of them rose to
the rank of sergeant--that was my mother's grandfather; but this dagger
didn't come down from him, being left in the main line."

"Well," laughingly returned the corporal, after listening to the quaint
chapter of explanations, "the future herald of our family won't have to
trace it beyond yourself. You're now under our protection, and have no
need to warlike weapons. So we, your protectors, will take the liberty
of appropriating the historical toy. Get out the cards, Perico! Let us
see whether it is to be yours or mine."

"_May bueno_!" responded Perico. "How will you have the game? A single
_albur_, or two out of three?"

"Well, as we've only the one stake, and no end of time for winning and
losing it, we'd better make it the long game."

"All right--come on! I have the cards spread--_sota y caballo_. How
sweet the Queen's face looks in the moonlight! Ah! she's smiling at me,
I know, as good as to say--`Worthy Perico, that silver-handled weapon,
your corporal tells you is worth all of an _onza_, will ere