"Very likely. He was one of the 'young bloods' of Peru, and, being a cadet of a wealthy family, able to do much as he pleased. He was always a thorough ruffian, and the common people hated him like poison. His pranks, however, were hushed up by those in authority, until, for some offence more startling than usual, your father got him clapped in prison. The Dons howled finely, but your father stood firm, and the people backed him up; so young Lureña had a taste of prison life. There was great excitement over it at the time."
"What happened afterwards?"
"Lureña left Lima. He went from bad to worse, and finally joined the ranks. Of course his relatives used their influence, and he was given a commission; but he never rose very high, I believe."
"What could he be doing in Lima to-night?"
"Something rascally, I'll be bound! He may have been to the town, but I believe the last place he stopped at was over there," and José pointed toward Don Felipe's house.
"You don't think there's some treachery afoot between them, do you?"
"Why not? Once a traitor, always a traitor! Montilla means to save his property at all costs, and to pick up as much as possible in the general scramble. Should the Spaniards win, your father will say good-bye to his estates."
"Isn't your prejudice making you a little unjust, José? Remember that we know nothing against Don Felipe."
"Oh, don't we? He got the estates into his hands once, and by hook or by crook he'll get them again!"
I thought José exaggerated the danger, but this meeting with Lureña set me thinking. The fellow was evidently a Royalist soldier, and on a secret errand. If José's idea was correct, there could be only one object in his visiting Montilla.