n on horse exercise welcomed
the proposal with enthusiasm, and went to change into riding kit.
Their ride was quite uneventful. They saw some fine mountain scenery,
but no sign of any brigands. They did, however, meet a squad of
mounted carabineros, who saluted them respectfully, and with the leader
of whom Don Carlos paused to chat.

"You will be relieved to learn that the officer reports that everything
seems quiet, and he has no news of El Diablo Cojuelo having been seen
in the neighbourhood for many weeks," he reported when he rejoined his
guests. "But I doubt if he has taken fright, as the Captain suggests.
He isn't easily scared."

He made no attempt to make love to Myra that day, but often she caught
him looking at her with an expression that baffled her and made her
feel vaguely uneasy. He looked, somehow, like a schoolboy with a
sphinx-like expression, planning mischief and inwardly enjoying some
private joke.

"He is quite the most exasperating man I have ever met--and the most
interesting," Myra reflected, as she dressed for dinner that evening.
"I wonder if he really has a heart, or if he is acting all the time?"

Dinner was served in the great hall that night, and once again it was a
triumph for the chef and the host. During the meal an orchestra,
composed of some of the servants on the estate, clad in picturesque
national costumes, discoursed sweet, haunting, heart-stirring music.

Outside, the courtyard was festooned with coloured lights and around
lighted braziers groups of men, women and children, in multi-coloured
garments, were gathered, feasting, singing, playing and dancing.

"To-night, if it pleases you, we will mingle with my people, who are
holding festival in your honour," said Don Carlos when dinner was over.
"I would advise you all to put on your warmest wraps, for the night
winds here in the Sierra Morena are treacherous."

The night seemed quite mild, but Myra took her host's advice and put on
her fur coat before going out into the courtyard to watch the
performance. Don Carlos and his English guests were greeted with
cheers when they appeared in the patio. A bearded patriarch, who
looked as if he had stepped out of a picture by Velasquez, stepped
forward and delivered a flowery speech of welcome, then comely maidens
and dark-visaged youths performed a picturesque dance to the
accompaniment of stringed instruments.

The set dance over, groups of men sang old Spanish and Basqu