on, for they knew that her influence was supreme with
Cortez, and that orders did not apply to her.

"I will come again for you, in half an hour," she said, as the
sentry unbolted the door.

Cacama was lying on a couch, covered with rough mats. He sat up as
the door opened; and leaped to his feet, with an exclamation of
satisfaction, when he saw who his visitor was.

"I have been longing to see you, Roger," he said. "I knew that you
would come to me, as soon as you could. Have you heard that
Montezuma has deposed me, and appointed Cuicuitzca Lord of
Tezcuco?"

"I heard it yesterday afternoon, Cacama; and crossed at nightfall
to Tezcuco, with the news."

"You saw my wife?" Cacama asked eagerly. "How is she? How does she
bear the blow?"

"She was lost in grief when I first arrived there, but the
necessity for action aroused her. She and Amenche agreed that they
would not await the coming of the usurper today. They left the
palace secretly, under the charge of Cuitcatl, who had litters in
readiness for them; and started for his house, which he placed at
their disposal. None save two attendants, whom they took with them,
knew that they had left; and should the usurper seek for
them--which, Cuitcatl agreed with me, is not likely to be the case,
as he will have enough to occupy his time and thoughts--it will be
long before he can find whither they have gone.

"I must tell you, Prince, that the queen last night opened the
secret treasury, and took with her a considerable amount of the
gold ornaments and the precious stones; so that she should have the
means, if opportunity occur, of offering bribes either to the
nobles of Tezcuco, or to your guards here."

"I would I were free but for an hour," Cacama said passionately. "I
would make an example of the treacherous nobles who betrayed us.
The queen has done well, in going to the secret chamber. It was to
be kept for an emergency, and never was there a greater emergency
for Tezcuco than now. Still, there were a large number of jewels in
the public treasury, which she might have taken without breaking in
upon the hoard."

"She thought that Cuicuitzca would, on his arrival, inquire from
the chief of the treasury if everything was untouched. If he had
found that a large number of valuables had been taken, he would
connect it with the flight, and would at once send in all
directions to overtake them; whereas, if he found that everything
were untouched, he would think no