The capataz was not affected by the tone in which these words were uttered; he answered calmly, as if he did not perceive the menace they contained—
"Oh! mi amo, the discovery was quite accidental, I assure you."
"I do not believe in chance," his master answered "but go on."
"When we had finished breakfast," the capataz continued, soothingly, "I perceived, on rising, that several horses, mine among them, had become unfastened, and were straying in different directions."
"That is true," his master muttered, apparently answering his own thoughts rather than the remarks of the capataz.
The latter gave an almost imperceptible smile. "Fearing," he continued, "lest the horses might be lost, I immediately started in pursuit. They were easy to catch, with the exception of one, which rambled among the rocks, and I was obliged to follow it."
"I understand; and so it led you to the mouth of the grotto."
"Exactly, mi amo; I found it standing at the very entrance, and had no difficulty in seizing the bridle."
"That is indeed most singular. And did you enter the grotto, Master Carnero?"
"No, mi amo. I thought it my duty to tell you of it first."