The priest did not appear to doubt him. He was looking through the doorway. Roldan could not see his face, but he saw the stare of wonder on Hill's.
"Very well," said the priest, after a moment, and his voice was hardly audible. "I shall return now. Can you come down to the Mission to-morrow—no, the day after. I have a secret to confide to you, and it will not be to your disadvantage to know it. I had no intention of telling any one, but I need help, and now more than ever. There is no time to be lost. Can you come early?"
"I'll be there between dawn and ten o'clock."
"That will do. Good night." And the priest went out.
No one spoke until the sound came up to them of a horse fording the creek. Then Hill said cautiously,—
"Hi, there, young uns."
"In the name of Mary let us come down, Don Jim," hissed Roldan, through the crack.
"Well, I guess you kin. He's climbin' the hill, and I don't see as there's anything to bring him back. I hope the fleas ain't et ye alive."
The boys lowered the ladder as rapidly as their stiff fingers would permit, and a moment later stood on the floor of the room, shaking themselves vigorously.
"Where's Rafael?" demanded Roldan.