"This Señor Zorro has made a visit to the Pulido hacienda and frightened every one there. I went to my hacienda on business, and from there I went over to see old Fray Felipe, thinking I might get a chance to meditate in his presence. And who makes an appearance but a big sergeant and his troopers seeking this Señor Zorro!"
"They caught him?"
"I believe not, sir and father. I returned to the pueblo; and what think you happened there this day? They brought in Fray Felipe, accused of having swindled a dealer, and after a mockery of a trial they lashed him to a post and gave him the whip fifteen times across his back."
"The scoundrels!" Don Alejandro cried.
"I could stand it no longer, and so I decided to pay you a visit. Wherever I turn, there is turmoil. It is enough to make a man insane. You may ask Bernardo if it is not."
Don Alejandro glanced at the deaf and dumb native and grinned. Bernardo grinned back as a matter of course, not knowing it was no manner in which to act in the presence of a don.
"You have something else to tell me?" Don Alejandro asked his son, looking at him searchingly.
"By the saints! Now it comes! I had hoped to avoid it, father and sir."
"Let me hear about it."
"I paid a visit to the Pulido hacienda, and spoke with Don Carlos and his wife, also the Señorita Lolita."