r his breath he added, "Poor
Manuela--my poor beautiful! She is tormented in vain!"

Manvers told him what had passed in the House of the Recogidas. "I
spoke for you, Gil. I think she will listen to you."

Gil lifted up his head. "Every nighta, when you are asleep, sir, I
estand under the wall. I toucha--I say 'Keep safa guard of Manuela,
you wall.' If she 'ave me I maka 'er never sorry for it. I love 'er
too much. But I think she call me dirt. I know all about 'er too
much."

What he knew he kept hidden; but one day he went to the Recogidas and
asked to see Sister Chucha. He was obsequious, but impassioned, full
of cajolery, but not for a moment did he try to impose upon his
countrywoman by any assumption of omniscience. That was reserved for
his master, and was indeed a kind of compliment to his needs. Sister
Chucha heard him at first with astonishment.

"Then it was for you, Gil Perez, that the gentleman came here?"

Gil nodded. "It was for me, sister. How could it be otherwise?"

"I thought that the gentleman was interested."

Gil peered closely into her face. "That gentleman is persecuted.
Manuela can save him from the danger he stands in--but only through me.
Sister, I love her more than life and the sky, but I am content, and
she will be content, that life shall be dumb and the sky dark if that
gentleman may go free. Let me speak with Manuela--you will see."

The nun was troubled. "Too many see Manuela," she said. "Only
yesterday there came here a man."

"Ha!" said Gil Perez fiercely. "What manner of a man?"

"A little man," she told him, "that came in creeping, rounding his
shoulders--so, and swimming with his hands. He saw Manuela, and left
her trembling. She was white and grey--and very cold."

"That man," said Gil, folding his arms, "was our enemy. Let me now see
Manuela."

It was more a command than an entreaty. Sister Chucha obeyed it. She
went away without a word, and returned presently, leading Manuela by
the hand. She brought her into the room, released her, and stood,
watching and listening.

Eyes leaped to meet--Manuela was on fire, but Gil's fire ate up hers.

"Senorita, you have surrendered in vain. These men must have blood for
blood. The patron lies wounded, and will die unless we save him.
Senorita, you are willing, and I am willing--speak."

She regarded him steadily. "You know that I am willing, Gil Perez."

"It was Tormillo you saw yesterday?"

"