"I am the Americano who is backing Coronel Saturnino's rebellion with money," he stated briefly. "I suppose you saw me give him a chest of gold in San Geronimo; at least you heard about it."
One of the guards saluted.
"Sí, señor."
"The coronel has reached Saint Ursula now; he told me to come out here and send in you two guards to help him search the place."
One of the soldiers looked at him suspiciously.
"Why did not the coronel ask you to help him, señor?"
"Me? Why, I'm no Catholic. I am a Protestant. You don't imagine the coronel would allow a Protestant to go searching through a Catholic convent, do you? He respects the decencies of life."
The doubting guard touched his cap.
"Very well, señor." Both of them turned about, shouldered their rifles, and marched off down the garden fence toward the convent.
When they were some distance away, Strawbridge turned and beckoned. The griffe girl came to him. She was doubled up with stifled explosions of laughter.