e of the beach which forms the bar. He was already
far from the shore and the water was up to his belt. He went on and
on, as if fascinated by a seducing spirit. The water was now up to his
breast. Suddenly, the discharge of musketry awoke him from his dream,
the vision disappeared, and the young man returned to reality. He
stopped, reflected, and noticed that he was in the water. The lake
was smooth and he could still see the lights in the fishermen's huts.

He returned to the shore and made his way toward the town. What
for? He himself did not know.

The town seemed uninhabited. The houses were all closed. Even the
animals, the dogs which are accustomed to bark at night, had hid
themselves through fear. The silvery light of the moon increased the
sadness and solitude.

Afraid of meeting the Civil Guards, he went through the orchards and
gardens. In one of the gardens he thought he saw two human forms,
but he continued his way. Jumping over fences and walls, he arrived
after great labor at the other side of the town, and directed his
steps toward Ibarra's house. The servants were in the door, lamenting
and commenting on the arrest of their master.

Aware of what had passed, Elias went away, but returned to the house,
leaped over the wall, crawled through a window and went into the
cabinet or laboratory, where the candle which Ibarra had left was
still burning.

Elias saw the papers and the books. He found the arms and the little
sacks which contained the money and the jewelry. All that had passed
ran through his imagination again, and, seeing all the papers which
might incriminate Ibarra, he thought of collecting them, throwing
them through the window and burying them.

He glanced toward the garden and, by the light of the moon, he saw
two Civil Guards coming with an adjutant. Their bayonets and helmets
were glistening in the light.

Then he decided. He piled up the clothes and papers in the middle
of the cabinet, emptied the oil in a lamp upon the pile and set fire
to it. He quickly buckled the arms around him. He saw the picture of
Maria Clara, hesitated--put it in one of the little sacks, and jumped
out of the window with them all.

It was already time, for the two Civil Guards were forcing their
entrance.

"Let us go up to get your master's papers," said the adjutant.

"Have you permission? If not, you shall not go up!" said an old
servant.

But the soldiers pushed the servants aside with the butts o