ought well, your
swordsmanship is no match for mine?"

"Even if you are my father, why should I not kill you, who have forced
me to your will by threats of death, you who wronged and shamed me, you
because of whom I have been hunted through the streets like a mad dog,
and made an outcast?" And Adrian looked so fierce, and brought down his
sword so close, that hope sank very low in Ramiro's heart.

"There are reasons which might occur to the religious," he said, "but
I will give you one that will appeal to your own self-interest. If you
kill me, the curse which follows the parricide will follow you to your
last hour--of the beyond I say nothing."

"It would need to be a heavy one," answered Adrian, "if it was worse
than that of which I know." But there was hesitation in his voice,
for Ramiro, the skilful player upon human hearts, had struck the right
string, and Adrian's superstitious nature answered to the note.

"Son," went on Ramiro, "be wise and hold your hand before you do that
for which all hell itself would cry shame upon you. You think that I
have been your enemy, but it is not so; all this while I have striven
to work you good, but how can I talk lying thus like a calf before its
butcher? Take the swords, both of them, and let me sit up, and I will
tell you all my plans for the advantage of us both. Or if you wish it,
thrust on and make an end. I will not plead for my life with you; it is
not worthy of an hidalgo of Spain. Moreover, what is life to me who have
known so many sorrows that I should seek to cling to it? Oh! God,
who seest all, receive my soul, and I pray Thee pardon this youth his
horrible crime, for he is mad and foolish, and will live to sorrow for
the deed."

Since it was no further use to him, Ramiro had let the sword fall from
his hand. Drawing it towards him with the point of his own weapon,
Adrian stooped and picked it up.

"Rise," he said, lifting his foot, "I can kill you afterwards if I
wish."

Could he have looked into the heart of his new-found parent as stiff and
aching he staggered to his feet, the execution would not have been long
delayed.

"Oh! my young friend, you have given me a nasty fright," thought Ramiro
to himself, "but it is over now, and if I don't pay you out before I
have done with you, my sweet boy, your name is not Adrian."

Ramiro rose, dusted his garments, seated himself deliberately, and began
to talk with great earnestness. It will be sufficient to summar