Don Tadeo walked about in great agitation for several minutes; then, stopping short in front of his friend, said, in a husky voice—
"Dear Don Gregorio, are you certain you have not been misled by a resemblance? Are you quite sure it was she?"
"You had just left me, and I was coming hither, when the sound of horses made me turn my head, and I saw, I repeat I saw, the Linda; she also appeared to have just arrived at Valdivia; two lancers escorted her, and an arriero led the baggage mules.
"Oh!" said Don Tadeo, "will the infernal malice of that demon ever pursue me?"
"My friend," Don Gregorio remarked, "in the path we have undertaken to tread, every obstacle must, unhesitatingly, be destroyed."
"What, kill a woman?" the gentleman said, with horror.
"I do not say that, but place her in such a position that she cannot possibly injure anyone. Remember, we are Dark-Hearts, and, as such, we ought to be without pity."
"Silence!" Don Tadeo murmured, as two low, quick taps were struck on the door.
"Come in!" cried Don Gregorio.
The door opened, and Don Pedro showed his polecat face. He did not recognize the two men whom, in the various meetings he had had with them, he had always seen masked.