looked inquiringly at him, not understanding the cause of
his hesitation.

"Is there anything more you would say to me, Captain? Though I have
lingered longer than I expected, I can afford a few more minutes."

"No, no, except to repeat that you shall be remembered by me. I am
sorry that I detained you; it is best you should make haste."

"Then, if you are sure, I will follow the Senorita, but I can wait a
brief while longer, Captain."

It was the latter who now showed nervousness, though the strain upon
him was not a tenth of what the other suffered.

"Off with you! Do you not see that you may lose the Senorita?"

The pony with its rider was passing from view below the margin of the
plateau, and the man now made the haste that looked natural. Although
the trail was easily followed, his place was in advance. While gliding
past the stirrup, he said:

"We have been fortunate, Senorita, but much danger still threatens."

CHAPTER XXIII.

Something prompted Martella to turn his head and look back. Not
Captain Navarro alone, but two of the soldiers had come to the head
of the path and stood out in clear relief in the strong moonlight,
looking after the vanishing couple. Martella grimly thought:

"The Captain is not easy in his mind, but it is now too late for him
to stop me."

A little way down the trail, under the shadow of the deep foliage,
stood the two men who were awaiting the coming of the messenger and
young woman. The time, brief as it was, had been trying to the last
degree to Major Jack Starland, who came forward into the moonlight and
approached the halted pony, which pricked his ears and showed some
timidity. But the rider readily controlled him.

"Halloa, Jack!"

"My dear Warrenia!"

He reached up and pressed the small gloved hand and the grasp was
warmly returned.

"General Yozarro seems to have forgotten to be a gentleman," she said.

"He never was one; if I ever meet the scoundrel I shall slap his face,
if his whole army is looking on."

"Then I hope you will never meet."

The party was stationary, though still near enough to the Castle to
justify uneasiness.

"Where are we going, Jack?"

"To the river; we have a boat there, in which we shall sail to
Zalapata, there to stay till the yacht returns, and then good bye
to this infernal country forever."

"And none will be gladder than I; but what of General Yozarro?
Martella told me he is expected every minute at the Castle."