_en-mascaradas_.

Nothing more is needed to tell who, and what they are, with their
purpose in thus approaching Don Gregorio's house. They are burglars,
designing to break into it.

It needs not the removal of their masks to identify them as the four
conspirators left plotting in the rancho of Rafael Rocas.

They are now _en route_ for putting their scheme into execution.

It would look as if Don Gregorio were never to get his gold to Panama--
much less have it transported to Spain.

And his daughter! What of her, with Francisco de Lara drawing nigh as
one of the nocturnal ravagers? His grand-daughter, too, Faustino
Calderon being another?

One cognisant of the existing relations, and spectator of what is
passing now--seeing the craped robbers as they steal on towards the
house--would suppose it in danger of being doubly despoiled, and that
its owner is to suffer desolation, not only in fortune, but in that far
dearer to him--his family.

The burglars are approaching from the front, up the avenue, though not
on it. They keep along its edge among the manzanita bushes. These,
with the fog, afford sufficient screen to prevent their being observed
from the house--even though sentinels were set upon its azotea. But
there appears to be none; no eye to see, no voice to give warning, not
even the bark of a watch, dog to wake those unconsciously slumbering
within.

As already said, there is something strange in this. On a large grazing
estate it is rare for the Molossian to be silent. More usually his
sonorous voice is heard throughout the night, or at brief intervals.

Though anything but desirous to hear the barking of dogs, the burglars
are themselves puzzled at the universal silence, so long continued. For
before entering the enclosure they have been lying concealed in a
thicket outside, their horses tied to trees, where they have now left
them, and during all the time not a sound had reached their ears; no
voice either of man or animal! They are now within sight of the house,
its massive front looming large and dark through the mist--still no stir
outside, and within the stillness of death itself!

Along with astonishment, a sense of awe is felt by one of the four
criminals--Calderon, who has still some lingering reluctance as to the
deed about to be done--or it may be but fear. The other three are too
strong in courage, and too hardened in crime, for scruples of any kind.

Arriving at the end of th