m same hopes myself, not ten
minutes ago. I hadn't said a word to anybody, but after you gave him
to me, I remembered what the little captain had commanded, for it sort
of struck home, that did. I ain't overly saintlike, myself, but what
of goodness I'd catched from you all I meant to pass on to the
coyote--I mean, Ferdinand Bernal. I reckon it was his face, 'stead of
a ghost's, that Aunt Sally saw by the window."

"I thought you locked him in some room?"

"Lock and double-locked. Bolted, besides. Worst is, all bolts and
locks are just as I left 'em. Had the key in my pocket and went in,
saluting, and there wasn't anybody to salute. Well, ma'am, if he's
out, and 'twas him saw that money, there'd better two of us sleep
beside it, rather than one. He's the uncanniest creature ever I met,
and I hope never to meet his mate."

"Very well. I do not see what harm he can do, after all, except to
himself, now. Jessica, dear, please bring the key, and John can put
this money in the safe. If it weren't for Elsa's satisfaction, I
should regret that Pedro ever found it. Then we must all to sleep.
It's been a most eventful day, and we are tired."

Before long the whole household was asleep; but the last to seek her
rest was Mrs. Benton; nor did she do that until she had locked
whatever locks would fasten, peeped under every bed, and invaded the
sacredness of Wun Lung's "heatheny den." Then she placed her Bible on
one side her bed, a broom and horsewhip on the other, and lay down to
watch, explaining:

"'Cause I'm goin' to watch, even if I am resting my body horizontal.
I'm so tired I can't set up straight, nohow, and I shan't wink a wink
till daylight comes and the rest are moving."

Having called out this valiant resolution to Mrs. Trent, in the
adjoining room, she instantly closed her heavy lids, and opened them
no more till a series of thumps upon her shoulders aroused her. Then
she realized that Ned and Luis were reminding her of yesterday's
promise that, if they'd eat no more plum cake overnight they should
have some for their breakfasts.

"Land of love! What you doing? Is it daylight? Why, 'twas dark as
Egypt when I lay down, and I----Can it be that I--I--have overslept?"

"Plum cake, Aunt Sally," reminded Ned.

"Plumsally!" cried Luis, with a forcible whack. Which was instantly
returned, and with such added interest that he ran howling away,
leaving the disturbed matron to scold herself at leisure for her lapse
fro