sent up; all showing
eager to rush from the room. They but waited for a word more.

Rivas, however, suspecting that the messenger meant that word for
himself, claimed their indulgence, and led him outside, inviting Kearney
to accompany them.

Though covering much ground, and relating to many incidents, the
_cochero's_ story was quickly told. Not in the exact order of
occurrence, but as questioned by his impatient listeners. He ran
rapidly over all that happened since their parting at the corner of the
Coyoacan road, the latter events most interesting them. Surprised were
they to hear that Don Ignacio and his daughter for some time had been
staying at San Augustin--the Condesa with them. Had they but known that
before, in all probability things would not have been as now. Possibly
they might have been worse; though, even as they stood, there was enough
danger impending over all. As for themselves, both Mexican and
Irishman, less recked of it, as they thought of how they were being
warned, and by whom. That of itself was recompense for all their
perils.

Meanwhile those left inside the room were chafing to learn the
particulars of the treason, though they were not all there now. Some
had sallied out, and gone down the cliff to bring up the body of their
murdered comrade; others, the major-domo conducting, back to the place
where the hunchback should be, but was not. There to find confirmation
of what had been said. The cell untenanted; the window bar filed
through and broken; the file lying by it, and the chain hanging down
outside.

Intelligible to them now was the tale of treason, without their hearing
it told.

When once more they assembled in the Refectory, it was with chastened,
saddened hearts. For they had come from digging a grave, and lowering
into it a corpse. Again gathered around the table, _they_ drank the
stirrup-cup, as was their wont, but never so joylessly, or with such
stint.

CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE.

"ONLY EMPTY BOTTLES."

About the time the Free Lances were burying their comrade in the
cemetery of the convent the gate of San Antonio de Abad was opened to
permit the passage of a squadron of Hussars going outward from the city.
There were nigh 200 of them, in formation "by fours"--the wide causeway
allowing ample room for even ten abreast.

At their head rode Colonel Santander, with Major Ramirez by his side,
other officers in their places distributed along the line.

Soon as