El Nacional went again to the window, and saw the rider coming up the road towards the house.
The shepherd was going to meet him with the reply. The poor man seemed uneasy, and in his two dialogues with the banderillero, had stuttered with an expression of fright and doubt, but had not dared to disclose his thoughts.
After rejoining the rider, he listened to him for a few minutes and then retraced his steps, running towards the farm, but this time very quickly.
El Nacional heard him running up the stairs no less quickly, coming up to him pale and trembling.
"It is El Plumitas, Seño Sebastian. He says he is Plumitas and that he must see the master.... My heart beat directly I saw him."
"El Plumitas!" The shepherd's voice, in spite of being shaking and breathless, seemed to penetrate throughout the whole house as he pronounced that name. The banderillero stood dumb with surprise, and from the espada's room came a volley of oaths, the rustle of clothes, and the sound of some one throwing himself roughly out of bed. From the room occupied by Doña Sol other sounds also came which seemed in answer to this astounding news.
"Curse him! What does the man want? Why has he come to La Rincona? especially just now!"...
Gallardo came quickly out of his room, having only drawn his trousers and jacket over his night clothes. He ran on before the banderillero, with the blind impulsiveness of his character, throwing himself in hot haste down the stairs followed by El Nacional.
At the entrance of the farm the rider was dismounting. A shepherd held the horse's reins, and the other labourers gathered in a group at a short distance, watching the new comer with curiosity and respect.