While the vehicle was rumbling past the northern corner of the plaza, a lithe, brown-limbed, barefooted boy darted from behind a group of chattering beggars and swung on behind the carriage.
CHAPTER XXII. AND THEN SILENCE!
The top was down, but Clif was too engrossed in thought to discover the fellow. On went the conveyance through the miserably paved streets, on past churches and stores and residences, and away from the main portion of the city to a quiet, highly respectable suburb where the houses rested in detached grounds abloom with a wealth of semi-tropical verdure.
When the carriage finally slackened up a short distance from a pretty villa, the unbidden passenger was still swinging behind, but he leaped nimbly to the ground and darted into the shadow of a tree in time to escape notice.
The driver placidly overcharged Clif fourfold, and drove away, leaving the cadet to enter the grounds, where he received a hearty and blushing welcome from Juanita and her friend.
An hour later another carriage entered the street. It was of the same class as the first, but the box was occupied by a stalwart, black-browed native with a scowling face.
He drove slowly through the street, then turned back again, as if awaiting a call.
Time passed; the sun touched the western hills and disappeared, and the mist of an early twilight gathered over the city. A distant clock sounded the hour of six. From the great cathedral came a mellow chiming of bells, followed by a discordant clatter from some less favored church.