"No," he said, "the gate is not stopped up, nor is it guarded."
"Are you certain?"
"Did I not tell you that I have been prowling about the neighbourhood for some days?"
"I do not remember it."
"I wished to assure myself of the existence of this gate, which an accident led me to discover in former days."
"Well?"
"I have sought it, found it, and opened it."
"Viva Dios!" the Jaguar shouted joyfully; "In that case the hacienda is ours."
"I believe so, unless a fatality or a miracle occur—two things equally improbable."
"But where is this gate situated?"