order were the guests of
an hotel and Don Ignacio's drawing-room a drinking saloon.

Outside in the courtyard, and further off by the coach-house, similar
scenes were transpiring. Never had that quiet _casa de campo_ known so
much noise. For the soldiers had got among them--it was the house of a
_rebel_, and therefore devoted to ruin.

CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT.

THE COCHERO DOGGED.

Just after the ladies had been proclaimed under arrest, but before the
sentinels were posted around the house, a man might have been seen
outside their line, making all haste away from it. He had need, his
capture being also contemplated. Jose it was, who, from a place of
concealment, had not only seen what passed, but heard the conversation
between Santander and the Senoritas. The words spoken by his young
mistress, and the rejoinder received, were all he waited for. Giving
him his cue for departure, they also gave him hopes of something more
than the saving of his own life. That the last was endangered he knew
now--forfeited, indeed, should he fall into the hands of those who had
invaded the place. So, instead of returning to the stable-yard, from
which he had issued on hearing the _fracas_ in front, he retreated
rearwards, first through the ornamental grounds, then over the wall upon
which the hunchback had perched himself on the preceding night. Jose,
however, did not stay on it for more than a second's time. Soon as
mounting to its summit, he slid down on the other side, and ran along
the lane in the direction of the main road.

Before reaching this, however, a reflection caused him to slacken pace,
and then come to a stop. It was still daylight, and there would be a
guard stationed by the front gate, sure to see him along the road. The
ground on the opposite side of the lane was a patch of rocky scrub--in
short, a _chapparal_--into which in an instant after he plunged, and
when well under cover again made stop, this time dropping down on his
hands and knees. The attitude gave him a better opportunity of
listening; and listen he did--all ears.

To hear voices all around the house, loudest in the direction of the
stable-yard. In tones not of triumph, but telling of disappointment.
For in truth it was so; the shouts of the soldiers searching for his
very self, and swearing because he could not be found. He had reason to
congratulate himself in having got outside the enclosure. It was now
being quartered everywhere, g