"Patience, Caballero! you will soon understand. This man's camp is not far off, and he can be here before sunset."
"But who will warn him?"
"Myself," Brighteye answered.
"I thank you for the hearty offer."
"We are possibly more interested than yourself in clearing up this mysterious machination," Marksman answered.
At a sign from his friend, Brighteye remounted his horse, which he had left in the thicket, and rode off at full speed, while Don Mariano followed him with a glance at once curious and puzzled. "You speak to me in riddles," he said to Marksman, who was still leaning on his rifle.
The latter shook his head.
"The history, whose odious incidents will be unrolled before you, is a sad one, Excellency, and you have not the key, in spite of the proofs you believe you possess."
Don Mariano sighed, and two burning tears ran down his cheeks, which were furrowed by grief.
"Courage, mi amo!" Bermudez said. "Heaven is at length on your side."