in excellent Spanish. Another, evidently unacquainted
with the language, made frequent interruptions in the English tongue.
Jose's heart beat wildly.

"Say, Reed," said the voice in English, "tell the parchment-faced old
buzzard that we appreciate the little comedy he has staged for us.
Tell him it is bully-bueno, but he must not overdo it. We are plum
done up, and want a few days of rest."

"What says the senor, _amigo_?" asked Don Mario, with his utmost
suavity and unction of manner.

"He says," returned the other in Spanish, "that he is delighted with
the firmness which you display in the administration of your office,
and that he trusts the bandits within the church may be speedily
executed."

"Bandits!" ejaculated Don Mario. "Just so, _amigo_! They are those who
defy the Government as represented by myself!" He straightened up and
threw out his chest with such an exhibition of importance that the
strangers with difficulty kept their faces straight.

Carmen and Jose looked at each other in amazement during this
colloquy.

"Padre!" exclaimed the girl. "Do all who speak English tell such
lies?"

"Ah!" murmured the one addressed as Reed, directing himself to the
Alcalde, "how dared they! But, senor, my friend and I have come to
your beautiful city on business of the utmost importance, in which
you doubtless will share largely. I would suggest," looking with
amusement at the array of armed men about him, "that your prisoners
are in no immediate likelihood of escaping, and you might leave them
under close guard while we discuss our business. A--a--we hear
reports, senor, that there is likely to be trouble in the country, and
we are desirous of getting out as soon as possible."

"_Cierto! Cierto, senores!_" exclaimed Don Mario, bowing low. "It
shall be as you say." Turning to the gaping people, he selected
several to do guard duty, dismissed the others, and then bade the
strangers follow him to his house, which, he declared vehemently, was
theirs as long as they might honor him with their distinguished
presence.

The sudden turn of events left the little group within the church in a
maze of bewilderment. They drew together in the center of the room and
talked in low whispers until the sun dropped behind the hills and
night drifted through the quiet streets. Late that evening came a
tapping at the rear door of the church, and a voice called softly to
the priest. Jose roused out of his gloomy revery and hastene