he big
fireplace. She took up his hand and examined it carefully.

Nor did her shrewd eyes miss the face on the balcony,--that of the Duke
of Alva! She exaggerated her studious examination, and then in a low
tone proceeded with the explanation of the lines of fate and life.

"Every one of these breaks in your lifeline shows a moment when you
stood face to face with death. Ah, senor, in all my experience I have
never seen such an adventurous palm.... You have stood elbow to elbow
with death, and yet those little squares about the breaks show a
guiding spirit of protection."

[Illustration: "_Ah, senor, in all my experience I have never seen such
an adventurous palm...._"]

Warren was beginning to be bored. Yet something in the girl's furtive
glances toward the balcony, which did not miss his own sharp eyes,
convinced him that she was endeavoring to get a message to him.

She continued, her own hand trembling unmistakably.

"Ah, Senor Americano, there is one break which has not yet been reached
by the line of time. The protecting square of your guardian saint is
not perfect there, as with the others."

The Kentuckian laughed incredulously.

"Oh, I guess I can build up a square when the time comes and let the
break take care of itself."

"But the time is now," and her voice was tremulously low.

"Now--what do you mean, now?"

She nodded her head, and with half-closed eyes gazed at the fireplace
significantly.

"And are the fortune-teller's eyes so brilliant and so keen that they
can light up the future and behold the day and the hour?" queried
Jarvis.

"Not my eyes, senor," and her voice died down to a whisper, "but my
ears."

The step of the Duke was upon the resonant stairs.

"In all my experience I have seen but one hand like yours, senor,--it
speaks of danger; and that hand belongs to Don Robledo, to Don
Robledo!"

The nobleman's voice cut short the seance. There was a warning note in
it.

"Well, Dolores, and why are you not attending her Highness? You know
the house, and she needs assistance."

"Pardon, senor." She stepped back and courtesied to Carlos, who came
down the stairs, advancing toward Warren. "I will go at once, your
Excellency."

"Good-by, senorita; I'll take good care of the little square. Thanks
for your occult wisdom," were Warren's smiling words, as he looked at
the Duke.

"Well, Mr. Warren. Looking into the future?"

"Yes, Duke, and the immediate future promises to be ver