Part 23 (1/2)
The aide-de-ca had orders to report instantly whatever word should be brought in Besides, why should the great Generalissi himself about so small aexcited as if he had lost a battle
The cause of this excite it to himself He was still in the dark as to certain details of what had transpired, and had sent for the governor of the Acordada, who should be able to supply theainst this one and that one, giving way to bitter reflections; one bitterest of all, that there had been a suspicion of connivance at the escape of the prisoners But to this there was a sweet side as well; so some words uttered by him would indicate
”Ah, Condesa! You may be clever--you are But if I find you've had a hand in this, and it can be proved to the world, never was a woman in a man's power more than you'll be in mine title, riches, family influence, all will be powerless to shi+eld you In the cell of a prison where Iyou a visit, you won't be either so proud or so scornful as you've shown yourself in a palace this same day _Veremos_--we shall see”
”Don Pedro Arias”
It was an aide-de-ca the Governor of the Acordada
”Conduct him in”
Without delay the prison official was ushered into the presence, looking very sad and cowed-like Nor did the reception accorded hi influence; instead, the reverse
”What's all this I hear?” thundered out the disposer of punish your prisoners bolt from you in whole batches I suppose by this time the Acordada will be empty”
”_Excellentissimo_! I am very sorry to say that four of them--”
”Yes; and of the four, two of theorously”
”I admit it, Sire, but--”
”Sirrah! you needn't waste words excusing yourself Your conduct shall be inquired into by-and-by What I want now is to know the circue affair So answer the questions I put to you without conceal humble obeisance, silently awaited the examination, as a witness in the box who fears he in: why did you send those four prisoners out with the chain-gang?”
”By order of Colonel Santander, Sire He said it was your Excellency's wish”
”Humph! Well, that's comprehensible And so far you're excusable But how cauarded?”
”Sire, I placed theuez--whom I had foundexceptional, on account of the cereot well-nigh drunk That will explain his neglect of duty”
”It seee You knoho they were, I suppose?”
”By inquiry I have ascertained, your Excellency One was the Countess Almonte the other Don Luisa Valverde, as your Excellency will know, the daughter of hied”
”Yes, yes I know all that I have been told the carriage made stop directly opposite to where these men were at work Was that so?”
”It was, Sire”
”And have you heard how the stoppage came about?”
”Yes, _Excellentissiht the wheels into a bank of mud Then the _cochero_, who appears to be a stupid fellow, pulled theht to have forced them on
While they were at rest the four _forzados_ e, the other two up to the box; one of these last, the big _Tejano_, getting hold of the reins and whip, and driving off at a gallop They had only one sentry to pass in the direction of San Francisco He, like Do to stop thearitas And, I aeant at El Nino Perdita let the His account is that, seeing the carriage belonged to one of your Excellency's Ministers, he never thought of stopping it, and should not Why should he, Sire?”