He was
always a thorough ruffian, and the common people hated him like poison.
His pranks, however, were hushed up by those in authority, until, for
some offence more startling than usual, your father got him clapped in
prison. The Dons howled finely, but your father stood firm, and the
people backed him up; so young Lurena had a taste of prison life.
There was great excitement over it at the time."

"What happened afterwards?"

"Lurena left Lima. He went from bad to worse, and finally joined the
ranks. Of course his relatives used their influence, and he was given
a commission; but he never rose very high, I believe."

"What could he be doing in Lima to-night?"

"Something rascally, I'll be bound! He may have been to the town, but
I believe the last place he stopped at was over there," and Jose
pointed toward Don Felipe's house.

"You don't think there's some treachery afoot between them, do you?"

"Why not? Once a traitor, always a traitor! Montilla means to save
his property at all costs, and to pick up as much as possible in the
general scramble. Should the Spaniards win, your father will say
good-bye to his estates."

"Isn't your prejudice making you a little unjust, Jose? Remember that
we know nothing against Don Felipe."

"Oh, don't we? He got the estates into his hands once, and by hook or
by crook he'll get them again!"

I thought Jose exaggerated the danger, but this meeting with Lurena set
me thinking. The fellow was evidently a Royalist soldier, and on a
secret errand. If Jose's idea was correct, there could be only one
object in his visiting Montilla.

But our neighbour was not the man to compromise himself unless there
was a distinct chance of success. Had he learned any news favourable
to the Royalist cause? If so, that might account for his action.

Silently we rode through the sleeping town and along the road to
Callao, where Jose waited at an inn while I did the business which had
brought me to the port. The bay was filled with shipping, and men were
hard at work fitting out the transports for the troops ordered south.

"Isn't it rather risky to remove so many troops?" I asked the colonel.
"Suppose the enemy should swoop down on the capital?"

"They're quite welcome to do so," he replied, with a laugh. "Lima is
of no use to us really; it's Callao that matters."

"Are you going with them, colonel?"

"No; I stay behind with General Sucre."

There was one question I wan