Ana came in at the doorway. Escobeda stooped and picked up the dagger. "She will hardly need this," he said, as he stuck it in his belt.
When Raquel opened her eyes Ana was bending over her, as usual in floods of tears, drenching the girl alternately with warm water from her tender eyes and cold water from the perron.
Raquel sat up and looked about her as one dazed. She clutched at the folds of her dress. The piece of kid lay in her hand.
"Oh, Ana!" she sobbed, "he has taken it away. All that I had. My only protection."
Ana arose and quietly closed the door.
"Sweet," she said, "I have good news for you."
"What is it?" asked Raquel, sitting up, all interest, her dull eyes brightening.
"I crept along the hall," said Ana, "and when I reached the rum room I slipped in and closed the door softly, and listened through the cracks. When he came here, I slipped out to the kitchen, and there I have been ever since."
"But the good news," asked Raquel. "Quick! Ana, tell me."