one from the
deep embrasured windows of both the first and second floors. The Ring
Tailed Panther saw a small door in the stone wall, and he pushed it
open.

"Come in! Come quick!" he said to his comrades.

His tone was so sharp and commanding that they obeyed him by impulse,
and he quickly closed the door behind the little party. They stood in a
small, dark alley that ran beside the house and they heard the sound of
music. Crouching against the wall they listened, and heard also the
sounds of laughter and feminine voices.

The Ring Tailed Panther grinned in the darkness.

"Some kind of a fandango is goin' on," he said. "It's just like the
Mexicans to dance and sing at such a time. I wouldn't be s'prised if Cos
himself was here, an' I mean to see."

He led the way down the little alley, which was roughly paved with
stone, and, as they advanced, the sounds of music and laughter
increased. Unquestionably Governor Veramendi was giving a ball, and Ned
did not doubt that the Panther's surmise about the presence of Cos would
prove correct.

They found a little gate opening from the alley into a large patio or
enclosed court. This gate, like the first, was not locked and the Ring
Tailed Panther pushed it open also. The patio was filled with palms,
flowering plants and a dense shrubbery.

The Ring Tailed Panther again led boldly on, and entered the patio,
hiding instantly among the palms and flowers. The others followed and
did likewise. Ned quivered with excitement. He knew that the danger was
great. He knew also that if they lay close and waited they were likely
to hear what was worth hearing.

The boy was in a dense mat of shrubbery. To his right was Obed and to
his left were the Ring Tailed Panther and Urrea. He saw that the patio
was faced on three sides by piazzas or porticos, from which wide doors
opened into the house. He heard the music now as clearly as if it were
at his side. It was the music of a full band, and it was played with a
mellow, gliding rhythm. He saw, also, officers in brilliant uniform and
handsome women, as in the dance they passed and repassed the open doors.
It was Spanish, Mexican to the core, full of the South, full of warmth
and color. The lean, brown Texans crouching in the shrubbery furnished a
striking contrast.

While they waited, several officers and ladies came out on the piazzas,
ate ices and drank sweet drinks. They were so near that the four easily
heard all they said. It was