'im, send 'im what you call
kingdom-come like a shot. But you leava that crucifix on my master's
plate--make 'im tender, too sorry for you. He think, Thata nice girl,
very. I like 'er too much. Now 'e 'as your crucifix in gold, lika
piece of Vera Cruz, lika Santa Teresa's finger, and all the world know
you kill Esteban Vincaz and 'e like you. Sir, I make 'er sorry--she
begin to cry. I think--" and Gil Perez walked to the window--"I think
Manuela ver' fine girl--like a rose. Now, master--" and he returned to
the bed--"I tell you something. That man who estab you las' night was
Tormillo. You know who?"

Manvers shook his head. "Never heard of him, my friend. Who is he?"

"He is servant to Don Luis Ramonez, the same I see at the _corrida_. I
tell you about 'im--no money, all pride."

Manvers stared. "And will you have the goodness to tell me why Don
Luis should want to have me stabbed?"

"I tell you, sir," said Gil Perez. "Esteban Vincaz was Don Bartolome
Ramonez, son to Don Luis. Bad son 'e was, if you like, sir. Wil'
oats, what you call. All the sama nobleman, all the sama only son to
Don Luis."

Manvers considered this oracle with what light he had. "Don Luis
supposes that I killed his son, then," he said. "Is that it?"

"'E damsure," said Gil Perez, blinking fast.

"On Manuela's account--eh?"

"Like a shot!" cried Gil Perez with enthusiasm.

"So of course he thinks it his duty to kill me in return."

"Of course 'e does, sir," said Gil. "I tell you, 'e is proud like the
devil."

"I understand you," said Manvers. "But why does he hire a servant to
do his revenges?"

"Because 'e think you dog," Gil replied calmly. "'E not beara touch
you witha poker."

Manvers laughed, and said, "We'll leave it at that. Now I want to know
one more thing. How on earth did Don Luis find out that I was in the
wood with Manuela and his son?"

"Ah," said Gil Perez, "now you aska me something. Who knows?" He
shrugged profusely. Then his face cleared. "Leave it to me, sir. I
ask Tormillo." He was on his feet, as if about to find the assassin
there and then.

"Stop a bit," said Manvers, "stop a bit, Gil. Now I must tell you that
I also saw Manuela last night."

"Ah," said Gil Perez softly; and his eyes glittered.

"I saw her in the street," Manvers continued, watching his servant.
"She was all in white."

Gil Perez blinked this fact. "Yes, sir," he said. "That is true.
Poor girl." His ey