e!"

Ibarra looked up amazed, and, seeing the gravity of the helmsman's
face, let fall the piece of bamboo.

"Leave nothing behind that could compromise you, and may an hour from
this time find you in a safer place than this!"

"What does all this mean?"

"That there is a conspiracy on foot which will be attributed to you. I
have this moment been talking with a man hired to take part in it."

"Did he tell you who paid him?"

"He said it was you."

Ibarra stared in stupid amazement.

"Senor, you haven't a moment to lose. The plot is to be carried
out to-night."

Crisostomo still gazed at Elias, as if he did not understand.

"I learned of it too late; I don't know the leaders; I can do
nothing. Save yourself, senor!"

"Where can I go? I am due now at Captain Tiago's," said Ibarra,
beginning to come out of his trance.

"To another pueblo, to Manila, anywhere! Destroy your papers! Fly,
and await events!"

"And Maria Clara? No! Better die!"

Elias wrung his hands.

"Prepare for the accusation, at all events. Destroy your papers!"

"Aid me then," said Crisostomo, in almost helpless bewilderment. "They
are in these cabinets. My father's letters might compromise me. You
will know them by the addresses." And he tore open one drawer after
another. Elias worked to better purpose, choosing here, rejecting
there. Suddenly he stopped, his pupils dilated; he turned a paper
over and over in his hand, then in a trembling voice he asked:

"Your family knew Don Pedro Eibarramendia?"

"He was my great-grandfather."

"Your great-grandfather?" repeated Elias, livid.

"Yes," said Ibarra mechanically, and totally unobservant of Elias. "The
name was too long; we cut it."

"Was he a Basque?" asked Elias slowly.

"Yes; but what ails you?" said Crisostomo, looking round and recoiling
before the hard face and clenched fists of Elias.

"Do you know who Don Pedro Eibarramendia was? Don Pedro Eibarramendia
was the wretch who caused all our misfortune! I have long been
searching for his descendants; God has delivered you into my
hands! Look at me! Do you think I have suffered? And you live, and
you love, and have a fortune and a home; you live, you live!" and,
beside himself, he ran toward a collection of arms on the wall. But
no sooner had he reached down two poniards than he dropped them,
looking blindly at Ibarra, who stood rigid.

"What was I going to do?" he said under his breath, and he fled like
a madman.