came to the front driveway and Zoraida must have
wondered as he forced her to go with him to a clump of bushes. He
stooped, groped about a moment, and then straightened up with a little
grunt of satisfaction; the rifle was in his hands.

"Now the horses," he said, and the three walked out into the starlight
and toward the double gates. "Whatever you will say will go with the
men out there. And be sure you say we are to be allowed to go for a
ride."

Zoraida did not answer and Kendric wondered, not without uneasiness,
what she would say. His grip tightened on her arm. She did not appear
to notice.

The watch towers on either side of the gate were lighted as usual.
From one came the low drone of two men's voices; the other was silent.
No other sound save that of the rattle of bit-chains as a horse
somewhere shook its head.

A man appeared from nowhere, with the air of having suddenly
materialized out of the atmosphere. He came close, made out that one
of the three was Zoraida and backed away, sweeping off his hat. They
came to the gates which the newly risen figure threw open; they went
through, Kendric having the air of a man lending his arm to a lady,
Betty with the cloak drawn close about her, following. They were out!
Now nearer than ever came the friendly stars, sweeter than ever was the
night air. Kendric looked swiftly about, taking note of the darkness
lying close to the earth, thanking God that there was no moon. If one
could keep for a little in the shadow of the wall, if then he could get
clear of the house and out into the fields lying at the rear, it was
but a short run to the mountains----

They had turned and already were under one of the watch towers, the one
whence came the men's voices. The saddled horses stood, tethered to
rings set in the wall. Zoraida turned toward Kendric and in the
starlight her eyes shone strangely, bright with mockery. But tonight
was Jim Kendric's, and he was still bent on playing out his hand.

"_Que hay, amigos_?" he called familiarly to the men in the square
tower, his voice sounding careless and indifferent. "La Senorita is
here. She wants horses."

A head appeared at the little opening that served for window above, a
hat was doffed with exaggerated deference, a second uncovered head was
thrust out. Kendric stepped back half a pace so that they could see
plainly that it was Zoraida.

"_Bueno_," said one of the two men. "_Viva la Senorita_!"

Alre