ant one. Was he free, or was he still a
prisoner? This must be ascertained before Dolores could decide
anything. It was not a question to be decided by mere conjecture. It
was certainly possible that the captors of the castle, finding these
prisoners held captive by the Carlists, had released them all; and if
so, it was all very well; but Dolores knew the suspicious nature of
her countrymen, and felt very much inclined to doubt whether they had
set the prisoners free upon the spot. They were foreigners, and she
knew that Spaniards of every party would consider that a sufficient
excuse for detaining them.

The only way in which she could satisfy her curiosity and decide upon
her own future course was by communicating with these Carlist
prisoners, and learning the truth from them.

But how?

They were sleeping so soundly that something louder far than any
ordinary cry would be needed to reach their ears. To call to them
would, therefore, be useless. Some other way would have to be
adopted. But in what way? That was the question that Dolores had now
to answer. There was only one way. A risk must be run. It could not
be helped. She would have to rouse them, and the most effective way,
as well as the one most inaudible to those without, would be to
venture into the room and rouse them in some way by touch.

A rapid view of all the risks of the case made her resolve to
encounter them. She felt able to awake the sleepers without being
discovered, and quickly made up her mind.

Gliding swiftly and noiselessly to the nearest sleeper, Dolores
caught his hair, and giving it a sudden, violent pull, she darted
back as quickly, before she could be discovered.

It was effectual.

The sleeper started up with a violent oath, and began abusing his
comrade. This one also awaked, and a fierce altercation went on
between them, wherein the one charged the other with pulling his
hair, and the other denied it with oaths. In the midst of this
Dolores had ascended into the passage-way, and stood there waiting
for a chance to be heard. At length the noise subsided, and the two
began to settle themselves for sleep, when Dolores, seizing the
opportunity, called out, in a low but clear and distinct voice,

"Viva el Rey!"

The Carlists heard it.

"What's that?" cried one.

"Some one's in the room," cried the other.

"Viva el Rey!" said Dolores once more, in the same tone.

At this the two men started to their feet.

"Who goes ther