II.
CAPTAIN MCNEILL'S ADVENTURES.
"But how on earth came you here?" was the unspoken question in the eyes of both of us; and, each reading the reflection of his own, we both broke out together into a laugh—though my kinsman's was all but inaudible—and after it he lay back on his pillow (an old knapsack) and panted.
"My story must needs be the shorter," said I; "so let us have it over and get it out of the way. I come from watching Caffarelli in the north, and for the last four days have been taking a holiday and twiddling my fingers in camp here, just across the Zapardiel. Happening this afternoon to stroll to this amazing rock, I fell in with the reverend father here, and most incautiously told him my name: since which he has been leading me a dance which may or may not have turned my hair grey."
"The reverend father?" echoed Captain Alan.
"He has not," said I, turning upon my guide, who stood apart with a baffling smile, "as yet done me the honour to reciprocate my weak confidences."
Captain Alan too stared at him. "Are you a priest, sir?" he demanded.
He was answered by a bow. "You didn't know it?" cried I. "It's the one thing he has allowed me to discover."
"But I understood that you were a scholar, sir—"
"The two callings are not incompatible, I hope?"