Part 17 (1/2)

So restrained, he kept silent; to see her now glance furtively around, as if to ain closed the scarf over her face, but in the hand that held it under her chin so white--a piece of paper he supposed--appeared; just for one instant, then drawn under Another significant look acco plain as word could speak it:--

”You see what I've got for you; leave the action all to me”

He did, for he could not do otherwise; he was fixed to this spot, she foot free And the use she now ht out into the street, though not as co to him; instead, her steps, as her eyes were directed towards Cris Rock and the hunchback, ere at work so a closer inspection of the odd pair, nor would any one suppose she had other object in crossing over to theain ordered into the sewer, and was at work in it Besides, he did not know Pepita, though he was the one she most wished to be near Chiefly for him was the communication she had to make

It could not be, however, without a deerous But her as equal to the occasion, proving hoell the ladies had chosen their letter-carrier

”_Ay Dios_!” she exclai with her eyes bent wonderingly on the strangely contrasted couple; then aside in _sotto voce_ to Kearney, whoed to place close behind her, apparently unconscious of his being there--”A _billetita_, Don Florencio--not for you--for the Senor Rivas--you can give it hi seen” Then once ante y enano_!” just as others had said, ”_Rue cosa estranja_!” (what a strange thing)

She need not say anythe crue of the scarf, out of her fingers into those of Don Florencio, who had bent hiht place for the transfer

Her errand, thus vicariously accoiant and dwarf, and another ”_Ay, Dios_!” she turned to go back to the side walk But before passing Kearney she e will co soon--two ladies in it--one you know--one dear to you as you to her”

Sords to hih muttered, and he thanked her who spoke them-- in his heart He dared not speak his thanks, even in whisper; she was already too far off, tripping back to the flagged foot-walk, along which she turned, soon to disappear fro of a carriage was to Kearney not altogether intelligible But, no doubt, the note, now concealed inside his shi+rt bosom would clear that up; and the next step was to hand it over to him for whom it was intended

Luckily, Rivas had not been unobservant of as going on between the girl and his coe to hi steadily at work, his eyes were not on it, but on the the latter part of the little episode, and having more than a suspicion it also concerned himself He was not taken by surprise, therefore, when Kearney, drawing closer to the edge of the drain, spoke down to hi for you Bring the point of your tool against ers”

”_Muy bien_! I understand,” was the muttered response

In a second or two after the shafts of their implements came into collision accidentally, it appeared He would indeed have been sharp-witted who could have supposed it intentional, and lynx-eyed to have seen that scrap of twisted paper passed from one to the other--the second transfer dexterously done as the first All any one could have told was, that the two scavengers seeies, then separated to the full length of their coupling-chain, and went to work again, looking meek and innocent as lambs

It was now Rivas' turn to prove himself possessed of quick wit He had reason to think the letter required i; and hoas this to be done? To be seen at it would surely bring the sentries upon hiet possession of it--that was a calamity perhaps worst of all! Possibly to compromise the writer; and well kneho that was

For a ti of every way possible for him to read the letter unobserved But none did seem possible He could stoop down, so as to be unseen by those passing along the sidewalk; but close to the sewer's edge were two or three of the sentries, ould still command view of him

All at once a look of satisfaction came over his countenance, as his eyes rested on a side drain, which entered the s He had just scraped the mud out of its , was his thought--the very place for his purpose And shortly after hebefore it, in bent attitude, his arhts busier with a sheet of paper which lay at the bottom of the branch drain, some two or three feet inside it It was the _billetita_, and though the creases were but hastily pressed out, he contrived to make hiibly written--the script fa this--say, half an hour--look for a carriage--landau shut up--two ladies inside--pair of large horses--_frisones_--grey When opposite, be ready--with him who shares your chain Leave e, eject the occupants rudely--violently--and take their places You can trust the _cochero_ Soer in the attempt, I know; but more if not made Your old enemy implacable--determined to have your life Do this, dearest, and save it--for your country's sake, as also that of Ysabel”

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

LOOKING OUT FOR A LANDAU

From the way Rivas treated the ”billetita” after he had finished reading it, one unacquainted with its contents ry, orit up tenderly, and treasuring it away, he planted his ht it into theit with both feet, lifted and set down alternately, the while shovelling away, as though he had forgotten all about it Not so, however The tread-mill action was neither accidental nor involuntary, but for a purpose The writer had co a portion of her name, as by other particulars, and should the letter fall into hands he knew of, her danger would be as great as his own

In a few seconds, however, any uneasiness about this was at an end The most curious _chiffonier_ could not have deciphered a ritten on that sheet, which by the churning he had submitted it toall this tis, not even the lance For Kearney, well aware of what he was at, to draw attention froot up a wordy demonstration with the dwarf--to all appearance a quarrel There was real anger on the side of the latter; for the ”gringo,” as he contemptuously called the Irishave pain to the mocker himself; but he could think of no other way to secure inattention to Rivas, and this efficiently did Both talking the tongue of the country, their war of words, with sorossed the attention of all within sight or hearing; so that not an eye was left for the surreptitious reader of the letter

When the sham quarrel came to an end--which it did soon as he who commenced it saw it should--the knot of spectators it had drawn around dispersed, leaving things as before But not as before felt Rivas and Kearney Very different now the thoughts stirring within theitation For they had again contrived to bring their ears together, and the latter no all about the contents of the Condesa's letter, their purport being fully explained, nor did they draw apart, till a thorough understanding had been established between them as to the action they should take

All this without loss of time was translated to Cris Rock, as told also of their resolve to attelad to take part Kearney would have stayed there, and gone back into the Acordada, loathso coet the incident of El Salado, nor cease to feel gratitude to the ive up life for hi left behind Rivas hiood one, that instead of obstructing their escape he would be an aid to it