“Carrambo! it is even so! How did you hear it, master?”
“This morning, after you had left me, I crossed a trail—I knew it must be theirs.”
“It was theirs, master. They came in last evening but I have worse news than that.”
“Worse!—what?”
“They’re after you!”
“Ha! already? I guessed that they would be, but not so soon. How know you, Anton!”
“Josefa—she has a brother who is a kind of errand-boy to Padré Joaquin. This morning the Padré took him over to the Presidio, and from there sent him to guide Captain Roblado to the yellow hunter’s hut. The Padré threatened the boy if he should tell any one; but on his return to the mission he called on his mother; and Josefa, suspecting he had been on some strange errand—for he showed a piece of silver—got it all out of him. He couldn’t tell what Roblado and the hunters talked about, but he fancied the latter were preparing to go somewhere as he left them. Now, putting one thing with another, I’m of the mind, master, they’re on your trail.”
“No doubt of it, amigo—I haven’t the slightest doubt of it. So—I’ll be chased out of my cave—that’s certain. I believe they have a suspicion of where I am already. Well, I must try to find another resting-place. ’Tis well I have got the wind of these rascals—they’ll not catch me asleep, which no doubt they flatter themselves they’re going to do. What other news?”
“Nothing particular. Josefa saw the girl Vicenza last night in company with José, but she has had no opportunity of getting a word with the señorita, who is watched closely. She has some business with the portero’s wife to-morrow. She hopes to hear something from her.”
“Good Antonio,” said Carlos, dropping a piece of money into the other’s hand, “give this to Josefa—tell her to be active. Our hopes rest entirely with her.”