tance Don Ruy went up the ladder and left him there. The
sweetness of the outer air was good after the reek of many smokes in
the kiva--and the adventurer stood on the terrace and drew great
breaths and gazed across the tree fringed water, and thought it all a
goodly sight well worth the jealousy of the pagan guardian.

Don Diego had accompanied the padre to their own quarters, but Juan
Gonzalvo was across the court speaking quietly to Yahn Tsyn-deh whose
vanity required some soothing that she had been shut out by Tahn-te
from council and her coveted official tasks.

At the wall of the terrace waited the secretary in some hesitation,
yet striving for boyish courage to speak the things outside the duty
of his office.

"Your pardon, Excellency," he said lowly. "It is not for me to advise,
but I heard some words of the two over there--may I speak?"

"Yes, my lad, and quickly as may be. Their two heads are over close
together for discretion. I fear I shall have the task and expense of
providing a duenna for my beauteous interpreter."

"Little enough of love there is with that dame!" commented the
other,--"it is hate--your Excellency--and for you to say whether their
private hates may not be a breeder of woe for all of us."

"You mean--?"--and Don Ruy motioned with his head towards the kiva.

"Yes:--it is the Cacique. The woman for some cause is bitter with hate
against him.--Juan Gonzalvo is eager to listen--he is restless as
quicksilver already with suspicion of strange things. In the far
south he and his comrades made little odds of riding rough shod over
the natives--here he would do the same at a word from the padre."

"And that word we can ill afford when we are but a handful!" decided
Don Ruy,--"Hum!--for instant annihilation of the proud pagan we can
depend on Gonzalvo, the padre, and Maestro Diego, if it came to a
showing of hands. There must be no showing:--Capitan Gonzalvo!"

"Yes, Excellency."

Gonzalvo crossed quickly to him, while Yahn stood sulkily watching the
three with lazy, half closed eyes.

"You forget none of the pagan Cacique's words--or his defiance of Holy
Church?"

"His defiance of Holy God!--Excellency," answered Gonzalvo hotly,--"and
that is not all--I have heard things--I am putting them together--You
saw his eyes--scarcely Indian eyes! You heard his accursed logic of
heresy--not all Indian--that! Indians may think like that in their
accursed hearts, but they do not find the quick w