t happened. They've been questioning
me, and I'm afraid I didn't tell them the truth. Now they're
questioning Don Carlos. From what I can make of it, someone has
suggested that Don Carlos is in league with the brigand Cojuelo."

"Who suggested that?" asked Myra, with a convulsive start.

"I don't know, but the officials wanted to know if I saw Don Carlos at
Cojuelo's place, and how I got away," Standish answered. "I told a lot
of lies, and said that Cojuelo let me go when I promised to pay a
ransom of fifty thousand pounds. Myra, you won't give me away and show
me up? I'll shoot myself if you do. Myra, if you say nothing about my
funking things, I'll swear never to breathe a word about your marrying
the brigand fellow."

"That is indeed kind!" commented Myra ironically. "I do not propose to
make public what happened if I can avoid it, but possibly El Diablo
Cojuelo may tell."

Standish drew a breath of relief and wiped his moist brow.

"Thank you," he said. "I'll come down with you, if I may, and perhaps
I may be able to help you through with the officials."

"I hardly think I shall need your help," responded Myra coldly.

For all her outward appearance of self-possession, she was trembling
inwardly, and her heart was beating unsteadily as she went down to the
hall, to find Don Carlos and three officers in somewhat elaborate
uniforms engaged in earnest conversation around a table, beside which
was also seated another officer whom Myra recognised as the one who had
led the Guardia Civil who had rescued her.

All rose immediately she appeared, and bowed courteously, and the
junior officer hastened to place a chair for her.

"You will pardon us for troubling you so soon after your ordeal, Miss
Rostrevor, but it is necessary that we ask you some questions in regard
to El Diablo Cojuelo," said one of the officers in excellent English.

Myra merely inclined her head and seated herself, darting a glance at
Don Carlos. His face was pale and his expression was as impassive and
inscrutable as a Sphinx.

"This officer, who led the company which found you in the mountains
yesterday, states that you were then apparently running away from Don
Carlos de Ruiz," continued the superior official. "He also states that
he understood you to assert positively that Don Carlos is El Diablo
Cojuelo. Is that so, senorita?"

"If you have no love, show no mercy." The words of the note she had
found on her breast flashed b