But dusk was falling; and the old man, his strength sapped, listened not unwillingly to Josè’s better counsel. With the coming of night the rain ceased, and the clouds rolled up and slipped down behind the mountains, leaving the moon riding in splendor across the infinite blue. Then Josè, leaving Carmen with Rosendo, walked to and fro through the streets of the old town, listening and watching. He wandered down to the lake. He climbed the hill where stood the second church. He thought he caught the gleam of a light within the old edifice. He crept nearer. There were men inside. Their voices sounded ghostly to his straining ears.
“But, friend Ricardo, he set out before dawn, and is not yet returned. I fear he has either abandoned us, or has walked into our good Rosendo’s jaws.”
“Hold your tongue, bleating calf!” cried the other petulantly. “It is more likely that he and Don Mario lie pickled in rum under the palms of the Alcalde’s patio!”
Josè waited to hear no more. He hurried down through the main street and past the house of Don Mario. The door stood open, and he could see the portly figure of the official outlined against the back wall. It was evident that Diego was not there. He returned in perplexity to his house and sat far into the night, musing on the strange incident.
With the coming of the new day Rosendo appeared with fresh suggestions. “Bien, Padre,” he said, “there is nothing to do now but take the girl and flee to the Boque river and to the hacienda of Don Nicolás.”
Josè related his experience of the previous night. Rosendo whistled softly. “Caramba!” he muttered, “but this is a mystery! And––but here comes Juan.”
The lad entered excitedly. “Your canoe, Don Rosendo––as I started out on the lake to fish I saw it, far in the distance. I brought it in. There was neither pole nor paddle in it. And it was half full of water. It must have drifted all night. Did it break away from its mooring, think you?”
Rosendo looked at Josè. The latter replied quickly: “That is the most reasonable supposition, Juan. But Rosendo is very grateful to you for securing it again.”
When the lad had gone, Rosendo sat with bowed head, deeply perplexed.