both joined the maid Berthe, who was
still clinging to sanctuary inside.

The American lieutenant-colonel and the Mexican capitan looked at one
another. They felt deserted. Fra Diavolo's teeth bared. "Ai, que mal
educados," he observed. "They're ill-bred, I say. They kick a gentleman
in the stomach--in the stomach, senor!"

Driscoll turned to go. It was enough of satisfaction to reflect that, if
any mention of the affair reached Maximilian, his own part therein would
not injure his errand to Mexico. As for the rest, Mexicans and French
could go their own ways--he had amused himself. "Well, adios, captain,"
he said, and swung on his heel.

"Wait! Which direction, senor?"

"To this meson here, around the corner."

"If Your Mercy is not in a hurry----"

Driscoll nodded, and the capitan stopped to say a few words to two of
his vagabonds. One of these immediately hurried off in the direction of
the river. The other was still loafing outside the cafe when his chief
rejoined Driscoll.

"Looks like you were interested in His Resplendent Majesty," Fra Diavolo
began with weighty lightsomeness. "Mustn't hurt his feelings, eh,
caballero?"

Driscoll laughed easily, "It was all on the girl's account," he said.

The ranchero glanced at him quickly, sideways, a dark look of suspicion.
"On her account, senor, not Maximilian's?" he repeated. "Dios mio,
caballero, I'll wager you have forgotten her already." Which, to tell
the truth, was fairly exact.

At the meson Don Anastasio regarded the American with much more respect
to see him returning in such company. But to Fra Diavolo he addressed
himself in his thin obsequious voice, "You see I am waiting, as you
wished. But on my, my daughter's account, I----"

"So, captain," Driscoll interrupted, "you're the one that's holding back
Murgie! Just tell him, Murgie, that I am in a rush."

Fra Diavolo smiled and bade his American have patience, for he quite
believed that the Senor Murguia would be starting in the morning.

"Si senor," he went on in a different tone, when Driscoll had left him
alone with the trader, "you set out to-morrow, and you are to have two
extra horses ready. But for whom, do you suppose? Bien, they are for La
Senorita Jacqueline and her maid."

Murguia's countenance changed strangely, a most inexplicable contortion.
His little rat eyes focused on the ranchero, and he drew back in a sort
of fear. Convoy her whom people called Jacqueline through the lawless