a secret. Some of the rascals
employed might in the end prove traitors. True, they would be his own
soldiers, and he might punish them for it at his will, but what
satisfaction would that give him? It would be locking the stable after
the steed had been stolen!

Even without their playing him false, how could he hope to keep the
affair concealed? First, there was an angry brother. True, he was out
of the way; but there was a jealous lover on the ground, and the brother
would return in time. The very act of the rape would point to him,
Vizcarra. His visit, the attempt of the "alcahuete," and the carrying
off of the girl, would all be pieced together, and put down to his
credit; and the brother--such a one--and such a lover too--would not be
silent with their suspicious. He might take measures to get rid of
both, but these measures must needs be violent and dangerous.

Thus reasoned Vizcarra with himself, and thus he argued with Roblado.
Not that he wished the latter to dissuade him--for the end he desired
with all his heart--but in order that by their united wisdom some safer
means of reaching it might be devised.

And a safer plan _was_ devised. Roblado, deeper in head, as well as
bolder in heart, conceived it. Bringing his glass to the table with a
sudden stroke, he exclaimed--

"_Vamos_, Vizcarra! By the Virgin, I have it!"

"_Bueno_--_bravo_!"

"You may enjoy your sweetheart within twenty four hours, if you wish,
and the sharpest scandalmonger in the settlement will be foiled; at
least, you will have nothing to fear. What a devil of a lucky
thought!--the very thing itself, amigo!"

"Don't keep me in suspense, camarado! your plan! your plan!"

"Stop till I've had a gulp of wine. The very thought of such a glorious
trick makes me thirsty."

"Drink then, drink!" cried Vizcarra, filling out the wine, with a look
of pleasant anticipation.

Roblado emptied the goblet at a draught, and then, leaning nearer to the
Comandante, he detailed what he had conceived in a low and confidential
tone. It seemed to satisfy his listener, who, when the other had
finished, uttered the word "Bravo!" and sprang to his feet like one who
had received some joyful news. He walked back and forth for some
minutes in an excited manner, and then, bursting into a loud laugh, he
cried out, "_Carrambo_, comrade! you _are_ a tactician! The great Conde
himself would not have shown such strategy. _Santisima Virgen_! it is
th