riola, here the guard-room is. My duty is to
take the prisoners their rations, and clean out their room. Poor Don
Luis, as your senoria doubtlessly knows, is amongst them."

"I do know it, and it is concerning him that I wish to speak to you.
Paco, I know I can depend on you."

"You can, your senoria," replied the muleteer. "Do you think I have
forgotten all your honour's kindness, how you got me out of the scrape
about the smuggling?"

"Or the one about thrashing the alguazils," returned the Count, with a
smile.

"Ah, your senoria was always very good to me," said Paco; "and I am not
the man to forget it."

"You have an opportunity of showing your gratitude," said the Count.
"Have you heard that the prisoners are to be shot to-morrow?"

Paco started.

"And Don Luis with them?"

The Count nodded affirmatively.

"It will be the death of Dona Rita," exclaimed Paco with blunt passion.
"Speak to the general--you can do it. He will not refuse Senor Herrera's
life, if you ask it."

"You are mistaken," said Villabuena; "in that quarter there is no hope.
The only chance for Don Luis is his escape, before to-morrow morning."

Paco shook his head, and remained for a moment silent. The Count
observed him attentively.

"It is difficult," said the muleteer, "and dangerous."

"Difficulties may be overcome; for the danger, you shall be amply
recompensed," said the Count, anxiously.

"I want no recompense, senor," cried the Navarrese, with one of those
bursts of free and manly independence that characterise his countrymen.
"I will do it for you if it cost me my life.

"But how is the escape to be accomplished?" said the Count. "Does any
plan occur to you?"

"I could do it," said Paco, "had I been ten days longer off the
doctor's list. But I am still weak; and even if I got Don Luis out of
his prison, I should be unable to accompany him till he is out of
danger. I take it he will want a guide. I must have some one to help me,
Senor Conde."

"That increases the danger to all of us," said the Count. "Whom can we
trust?"

"I can find some one," said Paco, after a moment's reflection, "who will
be safe and silent, if well paid."

The Count opened a writing-desk, and produced several gold ounces.

"A dozen of those will be sufficient," said Paco; "perhaps fewer. I will
do it as cheap as it can be done; for I suppose the _pesetas_ are not
more plentiful with your senoria than with most of Charles V.'s
followers. Bu