Almost immediately the galloping of a horse was heard in the distance, which rapidly drew nearer, and the majordomo soon appeared.
"Come on, come on, Leo," the adventurer shouted to him.
"Here I am, señor," the majordomo replied, "entirely at your orders."
"Listen to me attentively," Oliver resumed, addressing doña Dolores; "the affair is serious, I am compelled to go away this very day: my absence may last for a long time; and hence it is impossible for me to watch over you: unfortunately I have a foreboding that an imminent danger threatens you, of what nature it is, or when it will burst on you, I am unable to say, but it is certain. Now, my dear Dolores, what I cannot do, others will do: these others are the count, Dominique, and our friend Leo Carral, all three are devoted to you, and will watch over you like brothers."
"But, my friend," the young lady interrupted, "you forget, I think, my father and my brother."
"No, my child, I do not forget them, on the contrary, I bear them in mind: your father is an aged man, who not only cannot protect anyone, but needs protection himself, which in the case of need you will not fail to grant him. As for your brother, don Melchior, you know, my dear girl, my opinion about him, and hence it is unnecessary to dwell on that point: he cannot, or will not defend you. You know that I am usually well informed, and am rarely mistaken; now, all of you carefully remember this; be most careful not to let don Melchior or any other inhabitant of the hacienda suppose, either from your words or actions, that you foresee a misfortune; but watch carefully, so as not to let yourselves be surprised, and take your precautions accordingly."
"We will watch, trust to me," the vaquero replied; "but I have an objection to offer, my friend, which is not without justice."
"What is it?"
"How shall I manage to get into the hacienda and remain there without arousing suspicions? This appears to me rather difficult."
"No, you are mistaken; no one at the hacienda knows you but Leo Carral, I think?"