neither priest nor Spaniard! You ought
to celebrate your escape! What if the stone had fallen on you!"

"He had presentiments!" cried the notary. "He did not want to go down,
that was plain to be seen!"

"It's only an Indian!"

"Let the fete go on! Give us music! Mourning won't raise the
dead. Captain, let the inquest be held! Arrest the head builder!"

"Shall he be put in the stocks?"

"Yes, in the stocks! Music, music! The head builder in the stocks!"

"Senor Alcalde," said Ibarra, "if mourning won't raise the dead,
neither will the imprisonment of a man whose guilt is not proven. I
go security for his person and ask his liberty, for these fete days
at least."

"Very well! But let him not repeat it!" said the alcalde.

All kinds of rumors circulated among the people. The idea of a miracle
was generally accepted. Many said they had seen descend into the
trench at the fatal moment a figure in a dark costume, like that of
the Franciscans. 'Twas no doubt San Diego himself.

"A bad beginning," muttered old Tasio, shaking his head as he moved
away.

XXVII.

FREE THOUGHT.

Ibarra, who had gone home for a change of clothing, had just finished
dressing when a servant announced that a peasant wished to see
him. Supposing it to be one of his laborers, he had him taken to
his work room, which was at the same time his library and chemical
laboratory. To his great surprise he found himself face to face with
the mysterious Elias.

"You saved my life," said the man, speaking in Tagalo, and
understanding the movement of Ibarra. "I have not half paid my
debt. Do not thank me. It is I who should thank you. I have come to
ask a favor."

"Speak!" said his listener.

Elias fixed his melancholy eyes on Ibarra's and went on:

"When the justice of man tries to clear up this mystery, and your
testimony is taken, I entreat you not to speak to any one of the
warning I gave you."

"Do not be alarmed," said Crisostomo, losing interest; "I know you
are pursued, but I'm not an informer."

"I don't speak for myself, but for you," said Elias, with some
haughtiness. "I have no fear of men."

Ibarra grew surprised. This manner of speaking was new, and did not
comport with the state or fortunes of the helmsman.

"Explain yourself!" he demanded.

"I am not speaking enigmas. To insure your safety, it is necessary
that your enemies believe you blind and confiding."

"To insure my safety?" said Ibarra, thoroughly aro