e by poaching on other preserves!"

The girl ran her hand through her hair, excitedly, bewildered.

"What do you mean?"

"Have you any idea of who could take it?"

"Why--no! I hid it in the corner of my grip, and was sure no one could
find it."

Jarvis laughed grimly.

"Your castle ghost is no slouch at finding things. He is no ignoramus,
either, for he must be able to read and write and understand geography
to get any good out of that memorandum. Does it give the exact details
of the treasure trove?"

"As plain as ABC!" she answered.

"You think...?"

"Yes, I've been thinking ever since you first told me the story. Now
I'm going to load my revolver with those thoughts, and earn the title
of my profession. Time is everything. I take the northern road, don't
I?"

"Yes, and the second turn to the right, through a broken wall."

"Yes, you've told me all this a dozen times before. But it's life and
death, and I want to make sure. What then?"

"That road leads to the postern gate at the top of the hill," she
added.

The outer door had opened softly.

Its position, sheltered under the long sweep of the old balcony, was
out of their immediate view.

They had been speaking in rapid English, but the man who slouched
noiselessly through the entrance, toward the arch under the stairs,
surmised the gist of the conversation.

He drew a revolver, well hidden in the shadow, and waited.

"I understand. I have my bearings, too."

Warren stepped down, to the level of the floor.

"Wait," said Maria Theresa softly. "This little cross--it is a token
which I wish my knight to wear in the tourney--to-night!"

She slipped the golden chain, and the simple religious emblem, over his
head and about his neck, with a movement which was a wireless touchless
caress.

"Only for to-night?" asked the Kentuckian, as he looked squarely into
the crimson face above him;--how the roses and lilies played
hide-and-seek beneath the soft skin of those clear features!

"You may never see to-morrow," she murmured, and she drew up the cross,
from its pendent position, pressing it to her red lips with reverence.

The American spirit cried out within for honest self-expression.

"Then, if I never see to-morrow, forgive me for telling you to-night
that I love you."

She would have spoken, but he raised his hand for silence.

Beneath the archway the shadowed figure drew nearer, slipping into the
sharp angle behind the stairs.

"Do n