The old lady made a gesture to avert the evil eye.
"Say not such things, Señor. That terrible man! He might carry me off even here."
"So he might, Señora," replied Jack, trying to be serious. "I would advise yourself and the young ladies to keep within doors."
"If Don Hypolito can carry us off from the middle of Tlatonac, he is cleverer than I think," said Dolores, contemptuously; "but what can be the reason of The Pizarro thus guarding the town?"
"I have it!" cried Jack, suddenly enlightened. "She is watching for the arrival of the torpedo-boats. Yes, that is her game. She wishes to meet them before they know of the revolt, and thus seduce them to the cause of Xuarez!"
"Impossible, Señor!" exclaimed both ladies at once.
"It is true! I am sure of it," responded Jack, hurriedly. "I must speak to Don Rafael about this. 'Adios, señoritas! Con Dios vayan ustedes.'"
The young engineer kissed the hands of both ladies, and clattered down the steps on his way to the patio. Just as he was passing through the zaguan, he heard a light foot hasten after him, and before he reached the door, Dolores was in his arms.
"I left my aunt on the azotea," she said, breathlessly. "One kiss, querido, before you go! There;—and there! Oh, my soul! Be careful of yourself. I go, at vespers, to pray for you at the shrine of our Lady."
"Angel! Such prayers will be my safeguard in all dangers!"