wing the huge door of the _saguan_, see
that the _dueno_ is in ill-humour, which stirs them into activity; and
in haste, they prepare the repast called for--_desayuno_.

Having entered and taken seats, Don Faustino and his guest await the
serving of the meal.

For some time in silence, each with an elbow rested on the table, a hand
supporting his head, the fingers buried in his hair.

The silence is at length broken; the host, as it should be, speaking
first.

"What had we best do, De Lara? I don't think 'twill be safe staying
here. After what's happened, they're sure to come after us."

"That's probable enough. _Caspita_! I'm puzzled to make out how that
fellow who called out our names could have known we were there.
`_Crusaders_' he said they were; which means they were sailors belonging
to the English warship. Of course the boat's crew that was waiting.
But what brought them up; and how came they to arrive there and then,
just in the nick of time to spoil our plans? That's a mystery to me."

"To me, too."

"There were no sailors hanging about the hotel that I saw; nor did we
encounter any as we went through the streets. Besides, if we had, they
couldn't have passed us, and then come on from the opposite side,
without our seeing them--dark as it was. 'Tis enough to make me believe
in second-sight."

"That appears the only way to explain it."

"Yes; but it won't, and don't. I've been thinking of another
explanation, more conformable to the laws of nature."

"What?"

"That there's been somebody under that old boat. We stood talking there
like four fools, calling out one another's names. Now, suppose one of
those sailors was waiting by the boat as we came along, and seeing us,
crept under it? He could have heard everything we said; and slipping
off, after we went to the wall, might have brought up the rest of the
accursed crew. The thing seems odd; at the same time it's possible
enough, and probable too."

"It is; and now you speak of it. I remember something. While we were
under the wall, I fancied I saw a man crouching along the water's edge,
as if going away from the boat."

"You did?"

"I'm almost certain I did. At the time, I thought nothing of it, as we
were watching for the other two; and I had no suspicion of any one else
being about. Now, I believe there was one."

"And now, I believe so too. _Carramba_! that accounts for everything.
I see it all. That's how the sailor got