s' you estand 'im. I
tell 'im, This gentleman no like garlic down his neck. I say, You
breathe too 'ard, my fellow--too much garlic. This gentleman say,
Crikey, what a stink! That no good."

There was no comparison between the new service and the old; and so it
was throughout. Gil Perez drove out the chambermaid and made Manvers'
bed; he brushed his clothes as well as his boots, changed his linen for
him, saw to the wash--in fine, he made himself indispensable. But when
Manvers announced his coming departure, there was a short tussle,
preceded by a pause for breath.

Gil Perez inquired of the sky, searched up the street, searched down.
A group of brown urchins hovered, as always, about the stranger, ready
to risk any deadly sin for the chance of a maravedi or the stump of a
cigar.

Gil snatched at one by the bare shoulder and spoke him burning words.
"_Canalla_," he cried him, "horrible flea! Thou makest the air to
reek--impossible to breathe. Fly, thou gnat of the midden, or I crack
thee on my thumb."

The boys retired swearing, and Gil, with desperate calling-up of
reserves, faced his ordeal. "Ver' good, master, we go when you like.
We see Escorial--fine place--see La Granja, come by Madrid thata way.
I get 'orses 'ow you please." Then he had an inspiration, and beamed
all over his face. "Or mules! We 'ave mules. Mules cheap, 'orses
dear too much in Segovia."

Manvers could see very well what he was driving at. "I think I'll take
the _diligencia_, Gil Perez."

Gil shrugged. "'Ow you like, master. Fine air, thata way. Ver' cheap
way to go. You take my advice, you go _coupe_. I go _redonda_ more
cheap. Give me your passport, master--I take our place."

"Yes, I know," said Manvers. "But I'm not sure that I need take you on
with me. I travel without a servant mostly."

Gil grappled with his task. He dropped his air of assumption; his eyes
glittered.

"I save you money, master. You find me good servant--make a
difference, yes?"

"Oh, a great deal of difference," Manvers admitted. "I like you; you
suit me excellently well, but----" He considered what he had to do in
Madrid, and frowned over it. Manuela was there, and he wished to see
Manuela. He had not calculated upon having a servant when he had
promised himself another interview with her, and was not at all sure
that he wanted one. On the other hand, Gil might be useful in a number
of ways--and his discretion and tact were prove