as he deposited them in
different parts of the room.

"No fear of it, friend; we will not forget your hospitality," said the
chief alguazil, as he helped himself to a large tumbler of wine.

I was glad to see them apparently so well satisfied; but at the same
time I thought I detected a sinister expression in the eye of the
speaker, with which I was not altogether satisfied. The hound Demonio,
too, gave me some uneasiness; for though he came back to catch the
pieces of meat thrown to him by the officers, he employed himself
meanwhile in snuffing round the room in a very suspicious manner. Jose
stood quietly by to attend to their wants.

"Can I do anything more for you, Senores!" he asked.

"Another flask of this wine will not be objectionable, and a bundle of
cigars would be welcome," answered the chief alguazil, laughing at the
thought of the comfortable quarters into which he had fallen, and
determined to make the most of them.

"Certainly, Senores; I am sure my master would not object to afford all
you require," said Jose, going out to fetch what was asked for.

While he was absent, what was my horror to see the dog, who had now
finished his meal, begin to snuff vehemently under the door of the
secret passage, and then to work away with his paws, as if to try and
open it! I turned pale with alarm, for I knew that all must be
discovered; but still I thought it best to take no notice of the
circumstance.

"What does the dog want there?" said one of the men.

"Rats are there, I suppose," remarked another, whose wits the wine had
somewhat dulled.

"Demonio has a strange fancy for rats," said a third.

"Rats or not, I should like to have a look behind the door," observed
the chief alguazil, as the dog's excitement increased.

I said nothing, and the officers seemed to fancy that I could not
understand Spanish, so they did not trouble me with questions. Just
then Jose returned.

"What is inside that door?" asked the chief alguazil abruptly.

"Nothing that I know of but an empty cupboard," he answered quietly.
"The room is little used, so that I never saw it opened."

"Bring the key, and let us see," said the alguazil.

"I have not the key; and if there is one, my master must have it, and I
cannot disturb him for such a fancy," replied Jose. "The dog smells a
rat; there are many in the house, and he will soon be quiet."

But the dog would not be quiet, neither was the alguazil satisfied; and
at last