u mean that you will not, Manuela. Did you not know that
the Englishman caused your crucifix to be set in gold, like a holy
relic?"

_Manuela_: "I did not know it."

_Judge_: "We have it on your own confession that you slew Don Bartolome
Ramonez in the wood of La Huerca, and you admit that the Englishman was
protecting you before that dreadful deed was done, that he has since
paid for your treatment in prison, and that he has treasured your
crucifix like a sacred relic?"

_Manuela_: "You are pleased to say these things. I don't say them.
You wish to incriminate a person who has been kind to me."

_Judge_: "I will ask you one more question, Manuela. Why did you give
yourself up to justice?"

_Manuela_ (after a painful pause, speaking with high fervour and some
approach to dramatic effect): "I will answer you, senor Juez. It was
because I knew that Don Luis would contrive the death of Don Osmundo if
I did not prove him innocent."

_Judge_ (rising, very angry): "Silence! The court cannot entertain
your views of persons not concerned in your crime."

_Manuela_: "But----" (She shrugged, and looked away.)

_Judge_: "You can sit down."

CHAPTER XV

NEMESIS--DON LUIS

Manvers' reiterated question of how in the name of wonder Don Luis or
anybody else knew what he had done with Manuela's crucifix was answered
before the day was over; but not by Gil Perez or the advocate whom he
had engaged to defend the unhappy girl.

This personage gave him to understand without disguise that there was
very little chance for Manuela. The Judge, he said, had been
"instructed." He clung to that phrase. When Manvers said, "Let us
instruct him a little," he took snuff and replied that he feared
previous "instruction" might have created a prejudice. He undertook,
however, to see him privately before judgment was delivered, but
intimated that he must have a very free hand.

Manvers' rejoinder took the shape of a blank cheque with his signature
upon it. The advocate, fanning himself with it in an abstracted
manner, went on to advise the greatest candour in the witness-box.
"Beware of irritation, dear sir," he said. "The Judge will plant a
banderilla here and there, you may be sure. That is his method. You
learn more from an angry man than a cool one. For my own part," he
went on, "you know how we stand--without witnesses. I shall do what I
can, you may be sure."

"I hope you will get something useful from the pr