r voice was singing, the joyous high soprano of water--water unseen,
rippling through subterranean channels; water seen tumbling in crystal
runnels on either side of the road in its bubbling way downhill.

Still we saw nothing of the enchanted vermilion towers which draw all the
world across sea and land. There was but a glimpse of ruddy battlements
once at a turn of the road, through a netting of trees and branches; then
we were in a green cutting in the deep wood, where two pleasant,
old-fashioned hotels faced each other.

We were expected at the house named after that delicate and genial soul
who awoke Europe and America to the charm of the Alhambra. I had hopefully
telegraphed from Ronda that we would arrive early, _en automobile_;
nevertheless, the landlord, knowing the route, was smilingly surprised to
see us.

There was a telegram; that was the first thing we learned; and it was from
Colonel O'Donnel; but he had no news to tell. He merely wired his advice
that, if possible, Senor Waring should come back to Seville immediately,
as his evidence was now wanted in the affair of the bomb.

Dick at once said that he would not desert me, but I urged upon him the
advisability of going. He had seen me through my great adventure; and if
Carmona and the others were in Granada there was nothing he could do at
the moment which I could not do for myself. If he failed to appear in
Seville, there might be trouble; and should I find that I needed his help,
I would telegraph.

Pilar's name was not spoken, but it rang in our thoughts, and Dick could
not hide the flash of eagerness that lit his eyes. Perhaps by this time
she would have made up her mind whether he were to have "yes" or "no" for
his answer.

"My going shall depend on whether Carmona's here or not," he said; and I
turned to the landlord with a question. Did he know whether the Duke of
Carmona and his mother had come, and brought friends to their palace in
Granada?

The Spaniard laughed. He knew but too well, since the arrival of the
distinguished family had roused something like an _emeute_ in his and
other hotels. Carmona palace was perhaps the most interesting show-place
left in the town of Granada, except the tombs of los Reyes Catolicos in
the cathedral. It was the palace where Boabdil had fled from his father's
wrath; and after the Alhambra and the Generalife it was the one thing that
tourists came to see. Now they were prevented from seeing it by the
arri