r.

But the little maid abode silent, her Spanish heart taking naturally to
concealments and subterfuges--then, as in after years.

"Ha, brother," said this great hulk in deep tones, and in better Romany
than the former had used, "thou art strangely modest in thy plundering.
Hay and straw, brass kettles and tin skillets, my friend, are like that
neatherd's cloak of thine, they cover a multitude of things better worth
having. What hast thou there under thy pots and pans?"

The young man's often tried fate stood again on tiptoe. He knew well
that he was within a pin-prick of getting his throat cut from ear to
ear. But nevertheless the cool head and fiery heart which were the
birthright of Rollo Blair once more brought him through. He instantly
laid his hand upon his knife-handle and half drew it from its leathern
sheath.

"I would have you know, sir," he cried in an incensed tone, "that I am
Ruiz Elicroca of Lorca, own sister's son to Jose Maria of Ronda, who
gave me this knife, as you may see by the handle. I am not to be imposed
upon by cut-purses and bullies--no, not though they were as big as a
church, and as black-angry as the devil on a saint's day!"

The huge fellow fell back a step, with a sort of mockery of alarm,
before Rollo's vehemence. For he had advanced into the middle of the
highway, so as to bar the path by the mere bulk of his body. He appeared
better satisfied, however, though by no means intimidated.

"Well," he growled, "you are a cockerel off a good dung-hill, if things
be as you say. At all events you crow not unhandsomely. But whither go
you in that direction? You are well laden as to your shoulders, my young
friend. That plate looks as if it might be silver. I warrant it would
melt down into a hundred good _duros_ with the double pillar upon each
of them. You need not want for more. But turn and go another way. The
Hermitage is yet to be tapped, and I warrant that monk's roost hath good
store of such-like--gold and silver both. That we claim as ours,
remember!"

"And, sir, what do you expect one man to do?" cried Rollo. "Can I take
and rob the armed and defended retreat of the friars? I warrant they
have either buried their plate in a safe place or have kept a sufficient
guard there to protect it--even as they have up yonder. Hark to them!"

The sound of a brisk interchange of shots came to their ears from the
direction of the palace.

"These be young fools who run their heads against st