nded, told him all. Only the _cochero_ could have carried the
things off.

And now, seeing the latter as he stole away in retreat, his first
impulse was to raise the hue and cry, and set the soldiers after. But
other reflections, quick succeeding, restrained him. They might not be
in time to secure a capture. In the darkness there was every chance of
the _mertizo_ eluding them. A tract of forest was not far off, and he
would be into it before they could come up. Besides, the hunchback had
also conjectured that the failure of their over-night expedition was due
to Jose. He must have overheard that conversation with the colonel of
Hussars, and carried it direct to those whom it so seriously concerned,
thus saving them from the surprise intended. In all likelihood he was
now on his way to another interview with them.

If so, and if he, Zorillo, could but spot the place, and bring back
report of it to Santander, it would give him a new claim for services,
and some compensation for the loss he had sustained through the now
hated _cochero_.

Soon as resolved he lost not a moment in making after, keeping just such
distance between as to hinder Jose from observing him. He had the
advantage in being behind, as it was all uphill, and from below he could
see the other by the better light above, while himself in obscurity.
But he also availed himself of the turnings of the road, and the scrub
that grew alongside it, through which he now and then made way. His
long legs gave a wonderful power of speed, and he could have come up
with the _mertizo_ at any moment. He knew that, but knew also it would
likely cost him his life. For the _cochero_ must be aware of what he
had done--enough to deserve death at his hands. He might well dread an
encounter, and was careful to avoid it. Indeed, but for his belief that
he was an overmatch for the other in speed, he would not have ventured
after him.

For nearly five miles up the mountain road the stalk was continued.
Then he, whose footsteps were so persistently dogged, was seen to turn
into a side path, which led along a ravine still upward. But the
change, of course, did not throw off the sleuth-hound skulking on his
track, the latter also entering the gorge, and gliding on after.

There it was darker, from the shadow of the overhanging cliffs; and for
a time the hunchback lost sight of him he was following. Still, he kept
on, groping his way, and at length was rewarded by