He hobbled forward again, alert to keep a certain distance from any of the pirates or women, for he realized that they knew one another well. He reached the corner of the building, and began to circle it, listening intently for the voice he hoped to hear.
He heard it. Pretending to be picking up something from the ground, Señor Zorro bent against the wall and listened. He heard Captain Ramón’s statements, heard the señorita reply, listened with a grim expression on his face while the commandante begged for an embrace.
It would be perilous to enter that building now, Señor Zorro knew. Ramón would call the pirates, but perhaps he could be silenced first. However, there could be no hesitation. The señorita was there, being affronted, and was to be spared insult.
Señor Zorro saw the window, and guessed that he could manage to struggle through it. He raised his head and glanced inside. He saw the señorita recoiling, the commandante approaching her.
Señor Zorro hesitated no longer. He sprang up and scrambled through the window. He tore at the woman’s clothing that clung to him, got free of it, and whipped out the sword of Zorro. He pressed the señorita to one side out of harm’s way, and confronted his enemy.
His open hand cracked against Captain Ramón’s head. And then he stepped back, on guard, giving the renegade officer his chance, though he little deserved it.
“You are alive!” the señorita gasped.
“Ha! Very much alive!” Señor Zorro replied. “Stand back against the wall, señorita, and turn your pretty face away. This is not going to be pleasant for a dainty lady’s eyes to watch!”
