Proof again appeared that this journey had been pre-arranged. Instead of two guards, some eight or ten men were patrolling and lounging on the outside of the grim building. One of these came forward and spoke for several minutes, in low tones, with the guide. A call was made to the man at the rear and he advanced and took part in the conversation.
The ponies halted of their own accord. While Miss Starland was waiting and wondering, her friend dropped lightly from the saddle and came to her side.
“Give me your hand, Warrenia; we are done riding for tonight.”
The next moment the two young women stood beside each other on the ground. Naturally the Señorita took charge of her guest and led the way through the broad opening to the lower part of the Castle, where a native woman was standing. Manuela recognized her as a servant of her uncle’s household, and addressed her by name. She replied that their apartment was ready and conducted the two into the lower division of the building, which was dimly lit up by a lamp fastened to a bracket in the wall. Still under the lead of Juanita, as she was called, the couple passed up the steps to the principal apartment, which they had inspected the day before.
“You will wish to be together,” said the servant with a broad smile, “and this is your home, so long as you honor the Castle with your company.”
“Yes, we shall stay together,” the Señorita hastened to say, slipping her arm under that of her friend, who pressed it affectionately. “You may leave us now, Juanita, and when we want you, we will call.”
The apartment was the one that had been provided with conveniences and appointments, such as two young ladies were likely to need, even to the little knick-knacks that are considered indispensable by them. A glance around the room, in the mellow light of the lamp on the mantel, showed nothing lacking.
“It seems to have been specially prepared for us,” said the Señorita.
“And that, my dear friend, is the one thing that troubles me; I do not understand it; do you?”