"It seems to me," said Maraquando, at length raising his eyes, "that the carrying out of this scheme will entail the loss of the opal."
"Without doubt, Señor," replied Duval, coolly; "but by such a sacrifice you gain more than you lose. The Indians will desert Xuarez, you will be able to march your army south, and conquer him in the neighbourhood of Centeotl before he has time to approach nearer to the capital. Then you can crush his nest of traitors in Acauhtzin. Better lose the opal than Tlatonac, and if we do not succeed in getting rid of the Indians it may be that the city will fall."
"What says my niece Doña Dolores?"
"I have spoken to her, Señor, and for the sake of the city, she is willing to run the risk of losing the jewel."
Don Miguel smiled approvingly. He was patriotic himself, and liked to see the same quality displayed by all his family. At the same time, he was a just man, and knowing how Dolores loved the gem, did not care about taking advantage of her offer to sacrifice the same, unless she voluntarily consented to surrender the sacred stone.
"We will ask the lady herself," he said, rising from his chair. "One moment, Señor; I shall return with my niece."
He disappeared down the staircase leading to the patio, and Jack was left alone with Cocom.
"It may be that the Indians will not dare to take the jewel," said Jack, looking at the old man.
Cocom uttered a grunt which might have meant anything.
"Rest content, Don Juan. Once the Chalchuih Tlatonac leaves the walls of the city, it will never return again. Back to the sacred shrine of Totatzine shall it go. The high priest has ordered it be sought for far and wide, lest the god afflict the people with plagues for its loss."