Part 36 (2/2)
The seal-hunter, from a presumed acquaintance with housebreaking, is listened to with attention.
”Walk straight up to the door,” he answers; ”knock, and ask to be admitted.”
”Ay; and have a blunderbuss fired at us, with a shower of bullets big as billiard b.a.l.l.s. _Carrai_!”
It is Calderon who speaks thus apprehensively.
”Not the least danger of that,” rejoins Rocas. ”Take my word, we'll be let in.”
”Why do you think so?”
”Why? Because we have a claim on the hospitality of the house.”
”I don't understand you, Rocas,” says De Lara.
”Haven't we a good story to tell--simple, and to the purpose?”
”Still I don't understand. Explain yourself, Rafael.”
”Don't we come as messengers from the man-o'-war--from those officers you've been telling me about?”
”Ah! now I perceive your drift.”
”One can so announce himself, while the others keep out of sight. He can say he's been sent by the young gentlemen on an errand to Don Gregorio, or the senoritas, if you like. Something of importance affecting their departure. True, by this they'll know the s.h.i.+p's weighed anchor. No matter; the story of a message will stand good all the same.”
”Rafael Rocas!” exclaims De Lara, ”you're a born genius. Instead of being forced to do a little smuggling now and then, you ought to be made _administrator-general of customs_. We shall act as you advise. No doubt the door will be opened. When it is, one can take charge of the janitor. He's a s.e.xagenarian, and won't be hard to hold. If he struggle, let him be silenced. The rest of us can go ransacking. You, Calderon, are acquainted with the interior, and, as you say, know the room where Don Gregorio is most likely to keep his chest. You must lead us straight for that.”
”But, Francisco,” whispers Calderon in the ear of his confederate, after drawing him a little apart from the other two; ”about the _ninas_? You don't intend anything with them?”
”Certainly not--not to-night; nor in this fas.h.i.+on. I hope being able to approach _them_ in gentler guise, and more becoming time. When they're without a _peso_ in the world, they'll be less proud; and may be contented to stay a little longer in California. To-night we've enough on our hands without thinking of women. One thing at a time--their money first--themselves afterwards.”
”But suppose they should recognise us?”
”They can't. Disguised as we are, I defy a man's mother to know him.
If they did, then--”
”Then what?”
”No use reflecting what. Don't be so scared, man! If I'd antic.i.p.ated any chance of its coming to extremes of the kind you're pondering upon, I wouldn't be here prepared for only half measures. Perhaps we sha'n't even wake the ladies up; and if we do, there's not the slightest danger of our being known. So make your mind easy, and let's get through with it. See! Diaz and Rocas are getting impatient! We must rejoin them, and proceed to business at once.”
The four housebreakers again set their heads together; and after a few whispered words, to settle all particulars about their plan of proceeding, advance towards the door.
Once up to it, they stand close in, concealed by its o'ershadowing arch.
With the b.u.t.t of his pistol, De Lara knocks.
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