, would have strung us up
like a pair of dogs.

But our danger was far from lying at this end of the adventure.

After a rest of half an hour we kept up into the conductor. My
companion seemed perfectly at home in this subterranean passage, walking
along as boldly as if it had been brilliantly lighted with gas.

After proceeding some distance we approached a grating, where a light
shot in from above.

"Can we pass out here?" I inquired.

"Not yet, Captain," answered Raoul in a whisper. "Farther on."

We passed the grating, then another and another, and at length reached
one where only a feeble ray struggled downward through the bars.

Here my guide stopped, and listened attentively for several minutes.
Then, stretching out his hand, he undid the fastening of the grate, and
silently turned it upon its hinge. He next swung himself up until his
head projected above ground. In this position he again listened,
looking cautiously on all sides.

Satisfied at length that there was no one near, he drew his body up
through the grating and disappeared. After a short interval he
returned, and called down:

"Come, Captain."

I swung myself up to the street. Raoul shut down the trap with care.

"Take marks, Captain," whispered he; "we may get separated."

It was a dismal suburb. No living thing was apparent, with the
exception of a gang of prowling dogs, lean and savage, as all dogs are
during a siege. An image, decked in all the glare of gaud and tinsel,
looked out of a glazed niche in the opposite wall. A dim lamp burned at
its feet, showing to the charitable a receptacle for their offerings. A
quaint old steeple loomed in the darkness overhead.

"What church?" I asked Raoul.

"La Magdalena."

"That will do. Now onward."

"_Buenas noches, Senor_!" (good-night) said Raoul to a soldier who
passed us, wrapped in his great-coat.

"_Buenas noches_!" returned the man in a gruff voice.

We stole cautiously along the streets, keeping in the darker ones to
avoid observation. The citizens were mostly in their beds; but groups
of soldiers were straggling about, and patrols met us at every corner.

It became necessary to pass through one of the streets that was
brilliantly lighted. When about half-way up it a fellow came swinging
along, and, noticing our strange appearance, stopped and looked after
us.

Our dresses, as I have said, were of leather; our calzoneros, as well as
jackets, were shining with