_, Padre, do not worry," said Rosendo reassuringly. "It is for her
sake; and we shall have to know, as she does, that everything will
come out right. My friends will set me free to-morrow, when the trial
takes place. And then"--he drew the priest down to him and whispered
low--"we will leave Simiti and take to the mountains."

Jose bent his heavy steps homeward. Arriving at Rosendo's house, he
saw the little living room crowded with sympathetic friends who had
come to condole with Dona Maria. That placid woman, however, had not
lost in any degree her wonted calm, even though her companions held
forth with much impassioned declamation against the indignity which
had been heaped upon her worthy consort. He looked about for Carmen.
She was not with her foster-mother, nor did his inquiry reveal her
whereabouts. He smiled sadly, as he thought of her out on the shales,
her customary refuge when storms broke. He started in search of her;
but as he passed through the _plaza_ Manuela Cortez met him. "Padre,"
she exclaimed, "is the little Carmen to go to jail, too?"

Jose stopped short. "Manuela--why do you say that?" he asked
hurriedly, his heart starting to beat like a trip-hammer.

"Because, Padre, I saw the constable, Fernando, take her into Don
Mario's house some time ago."

Jose uttered an exclamation and started for the house of the Alcalde.
Don Mario stood at the door, his huge bulk denying the priest
admission.

"Don Mario!" panted Jose. "Carmen--you have her here?"

Fernando, who had been sitting just within the door, rose and came to
his chief's side. Jose felt his brain whirling. Fernando stepped
outside and took his arm. The Alcalde's unlovely face expanded in a
sinister leer. "It is permissible to place even a priest in the
stocks, if he becomes _loco_," he said significantly.

Jose tightened his grip upon himself. Fernando spoke quickly:

"It was necessary to take the girl in custody, too, Padre. But do not
worry; she is safe."

"But--you have no right to take her--"

"There, _Senor Padre_, calm yourself. What right had you to separate
her from her father?"

"Diego is not her father! He lies! And, Don Mario, you have no
authority but his--"

"You mistake, _Senor Padre_," calmly interrupted the Alcalde. "I have
a much higher authority."

Jose stared dully at him. "Whose, then?" he muttered, scarce hearing
his own words.

"The Bishop's, _Senor Padre_," answered Don Mario, with a cruel grin.

"The