ita questioned her and she said that a
soldier had just arrived and was talking to Captain Navarro of the
guard, but she knew nothing of his errand.

The two friends were in a flutter, and, tarrying only long enough to
partake slightly, they hastened to their lookout. They waited and
looked for a considerable time, but saw nothing of the stranger in
whom they were so much interested.

When it had become wholly dark, they passed to the living apartment,
which was moderately illuminated by the lamp. The gloom outside would
continue until the moon appeared, when the light would be as vivid
almost as mid-day.

Suddenly some one knocked on the door. The peculiar sound showed that
it was not a servant claiming admission. Senorita Estacardo sprang up,
turned the key and drew open the massive structure for a few inches.
Then she recoiled at sight of the soldier in the blue jacket standing
before her, bowing low with hat in hand.

After his "_buenas noches_," he uttered the amazing words:

"I have come for the American Senorita."

"Who are you?"

He stepped softly inside, pushed the door shut and placed his finger
to his lips as a warning for them to be cautious. The young women were
frightened by his presumption, and the Senorita was about to command
him to leave, when, bowing low, he handed a slip of paper to her.

"It is for the other Senorita," he explained.

The wondering young woman took the paper and handed it to her friend,
who had come forward. Moving a little aside, so as to stand under the
lamp, she saw her name pencilled on the outside in a familiar
handwriting, and unfolding the slip, she read:

"You can trust the bearer fully; he is our friend; do
exactly as he tells you, and do it quickly, for there is not
a moment to lose.

"Jack Starland."

CHAPTER XX.

It will be recalled that the catboat, in which Major Jack Starland was
descending the river in company with Captain Guzman and the Atlamalcan
deserter, Martella, landed them at the spot where the young women had
left the tug the night before, the cause for which action on their
part has been made clear. This took place early in the afternoon, and,
under the guidance of Martella, the three started inland over the
trail that had been followed by the two ponies less than four and
twenty hours before.

While all doubt of the presence of his sister at the Castle had been
removed, the young American off