one walls," said the
huge gipsy; "we are wiser men. They seek gold, and are in danger of
getting lead. Like you, we will be content with silver. Altar furniture
is by no means to be despised. It fits the melting-pot as egg-meat fits
egg-shell! But whither do you fare?"

"I am passing in this direction solely that I may reach a place known to
my uncle and myself, where the pair of us have a rendezvous," answered
Rollo; "mine uncle Don Jose hath no wish to meddle in other men's
matters, as indeed he told some of you yesterday morning. But as for me,
seeing that I was young of my years and desired to make my mark, he
permitted me to come. But I would rather give up all my booty, though
honestly taken with the strong hand, than keep Jose Maria waiting!"

The Moorish gipsy now laughed in his turn.

"Nay, that I doubt not," he said, "but here we are all good fellows,
right Roms, true to each other, and would rob no honest comrade of that
for which he hath risked his life. Pass on, brother, and give to Jose
Maria of Ronda the respects of Ezquerra, the executioner, who on the
Plaza Mayor of Salamanca removed the spike from the iron cravat that so
deftly marked him for life!"

With a burst of gratitude quick and sincere, Rollo seized the huge hand
and wrung it heartily.

"You saved Jose Maria's life," he cried, "then mine is at your service!"

"Pass on, boy," smiled Ezquerra, grimly; "it is not the first time,
since I became usher to the Nether World, that I have been able to do a
friend and brave comrade a good turn. Only warn him that now they have a
new operator at Salamanca in whose veins circulates no drop of the right
black blood of Egypt. He must not try the collar twice!"

Rollo passed on with his donkey, and he was into the second street
before he dared to lift the covering of hay which hid the child. He
expected to find her in a swoon with fright or half dead with fear and
anxiety. Isabel the Second was neither.

"Take off that platter of metal," she whispered; "what funny talk you
speak. It sounded like cats spitting. You must teach it to me afterwards
when Dona Susana is out of the way. For she is very strict with me and
will only let me learn French and Castilian, saying that all other
languages are only barbarian and useless, which indeed may well be!"

"Hush," said Rollo; "we are not yet in safety. Here is the way to the
Hermitage!"

"But will you teach me the cat language?"

"Yes, yes, that I will an