the domestic part of the establishment
unfastened, and very often open, while he practises. Therefore, if he
did the same thing to-day--and I happen to know that he did, for I was
in the church myself half an hour ago--it would be an easy matter for
the fugitives to gain access to this building and conceal themselves
somewhere in it. As to the open door yonder, I attach no importance at
all to it, for the Englishmen are much too conspicuous in their
appearance and attire to venture abroad in the city by daylight; they
would be recaptured in less than five minutes if they did so, and I give
them credit for being sensible enough to know it. Consequently, I
maintain that they are still somewhere within the walls of the
establishment, and, as likely as not, may be in this church; therefore
let the place be thoroughly searched at once."

Nothing more was said; but sounds of renewed activity immediately
followed upon the order to search, the scuffle of footsteps along the
aisles and on the steps leading to the organ loft distinctly reaching
the lurking pair as they crouched beneath the altar intently listening,
to gather, if they might, some indication of the direction in which the
search was proceeding. Presently, to their discomfiture, they heard the
footsteps of apparently two persons approaching the enclosed space
within the altar rails, the pair talking in low tones as they
approached.

"For my part," said one, "I entirely disagree with Fray Felipe. I
believe the English heretics have escaped, and by that open door; for,
if not, where are they? They cannot be in the other part of the
establishment, for, if so, they must have been seen by someone--unless,
indeed, they are in league with the devil and have the power of
disappearing at will. And they are not in this church; because if they
had come here they must have seen that open door, and nobody shall
persuade me that, seeing it, they would not avail themselves of the
opportunity which it offers."

"Nay, brother," answered the other; "I think Fray Felipe is right; and
so would you, had you seen the two men. They looked and were dressed
like savages, and could never--"

"Pooh!" interrupted the first, impatiently, "that is all nonsense. If
they looked as conspicuous as all that what was there to prevent them
from entering the vestry and appropriating a couple of the spare habits
that are always hanging there? If they did that they could walk out of
the chur