Here was a fix! Don Carlos had no wish to anger Don Diego Vega or a man who stood high in the governor's regard. And how was he to evade it? If Lolita could not force her heart to accept Don Diego, perhaps she could learn to love Captain Ramón. After Don Diego, he was the best potential son-in-law in the vicinity.
"Your answer,señor?" the captain was asking.
"I trust you will not misunderstand me,señor," Don Carlos said, in lower tones. "I must make a simple explanation."
"Proceed,señor."
"But this morning Don Diego Vega asked me the same question."
"Ha!"
"You know his blood and his family,señor. Could I refuse him? Of rights I could not. But I may tell you this—theseñoritaweds no man unless it is her wish. So Don Diego has my permission to pay his addresses, but if he fails to touch her heart—"
"Then I may try?" the captain asked.
"You have my permission,señor. Of course, Don Diego has great wealth, but you have a dashingway with you, and Don Diego—that is—he is rather—"
"I understand perfectly,señor," the captain said, laughing. "He is not exactly a brave and dashingcaballero. Unless your daughter prefers wealth to a genuine man—"
"My daughter will follow the dictates of her heart,señor!" Don Carlos said proudly.
"Then the affair is between Don Diego Vega and myself?"
"So long as you use discretion,señor. I would have nothing happen that would cause enmity between the Vega family and mine."
"Your interests shall be protected, Don Carlos," Captain Ramón declared.
As Don Diego talked, the Señorita Lolita observed her father and Captain Ramón, and guessed what was being said. It pleased her, of course, that a dashing officer should enter the lists for her hand, and yet she had felt no thrill when first she looked into his eyes.
Señor Zorro, now, had thrilled her to the tips of her tiny toes, and merely because he had talked to her, and touched the palm of her hand with his lips. If Don Diego Vega were only more like the highwayman! If some man appeared who combined Vega's wealth with the rogue's spirit and dash and courage!
There was a sudden tumult outside, and into the room strode the soldiers, Sergeant Gonzales at their head. They saluted their captain, and the bigsergeant looked with wonder at his wounded shoulder.
"The rogue escaped us," Gonzales reported. "We followed him for a distance of three miles or so, as he made his way into the hills, where we came upon him."
"Well?" Ramón questioned.
"He has allies."
"What is this?"
"Fully ten men were waiting for him there, my captain. They set upon us before we were aware of their presence. We fought them well, and three of them we wounded, but they made their escape and took their comrades with them. We had not been expecting a band, of course, and so rode into their ambush."
"Then we have to contend with a band of them!" Captain Ramón said. "Sergeant, you will select a score of men in the morning, and have command over them. You will take the trail of this Señor Zorro, and you will not stop until he is either captured or slain. I will add a quarter's wages to the reward of his excellency, the governor, if you are successful."
"Ha! It is what I have wished!" Sergeant Gonzales cried. "Now we shall run this coyote to earth in short order! I shall show you the color of his blood—"
"'Twould be no more than right, since he has seen the color of the captain's," Don Diego put in.
"What is this, Don Diego, my friend? Captain, you have crossed blades with the rogue?"
"I have," the captain assented. "You but followed a tricky horse, my sergeant. The fellow was here, in a closet, and came out after I had entered. So it must have been some other man you met with his companions up in the hills. This Señor Zorro treated me much as he treated you in the tavern—had a pistol handy in case I should prove too expert with the blade."
Captain and sergeant looked at each other squarely, each wondering how much the other had been lying; while Don Diego chuckled faintly and tried to press the Señorita Lolita's hand, and failed.
"This thing can be settled only in blood!" Gonzales declared. "I shall pursue the rascal until he is run to earth. I have permission to select my men?"
"You may take any at thepresidio," the captain said.
"Sergeant Gonzales, I should like to go with you," Don Diego said suddenly.
"By the saints! It would kill you,caballero! Day and night in the saddle, up hill and down hill, through dust and heat, and with a chance at fighting!"
"Well, perhaps it were best for me to remain in thepueblo," Don Diego admitted. "But he has annoyed this family, of which I am a true friend. At least, you will keep me informed? You will tell me how he escapes if he dodges you? I at least may know that you are on his trail, and where you are riding, so I may be with you in spirit?"
"Certainly,caballero—certainly!" Sergeant Gonzales replied. "I shall give you the chance of looking upon the rogue's dead face. I swear it!"
"'Tis a terrible oath, my sergeant. Suppose it should come to pass—"
"I mean, if I slay the rascal,caballero. My captain, do you return this night to thepresidio?"
"Yes," Ramón replied. "Despite my wound, I can ride a horse."
He glanced toward Don Diego as he spoke, and there was almost a sneer upon his lips.
"What magnificent grit!" Don Diego said. "I, too, shall return to Reina de Los Angeles, if Don Carlos will be as good as to have his carriage around. I can tie my horse to the rear of it. To ride horseback the distance again this day would be the death of me!"
Gonzales laughed and led the way from the house. Captain Ramón paid his respects to the ladies, glowered at Don Diego, and followed. Thecaballerofaced Señorita Lolita again as her parents escorted the captain to the door.
"You will think of the matter?" he asked. "My father will be at me again within a few days, and I shall escape censure if I am able to tell him that it is all settled. If you decide to wed me, have your father send me word by a servant. Then I shall put my house in order against the wedding day."
"I shall think of it," the girl said.
"We could be married at the mission of San Gabriel, only we should have to make the confoundedjourney there. Fray Felipe, of the mission, has been my friend from the days of my boyhood, and I would have him say the words, unless you prefer otherwise. He could come to Reina de Los Angeles and read the ceremony in the little church on the plaza there."
"I shall think of it," the girl said again.
"Perhaps I may come out again to see you within a few days, if I survive this night.Buenas noches, señorita!I suppose I should—er—kiss your hand?"
"You need not take the trouble," Señorita Lolita replied. "It might fatigue you."
"Ah—thank you! You are thoughtful, I see. I am fortunate if I get me a thoughtful wife."
Don Diego sauntered to the door. Señorita Lolita rushed into her own room and beat at her breasts with her hands, and tore at her hair a bit, too angry, too enraged to weep. Kiss her hand, indeed! Señor Zorro had not suggested it—he had done it. Señor Zorro had dared death to visit her! Señor Zorro had laughed as he fought, and then had escaped by a trick! Ah, if Don Diego Vega were half the man this highwayman appeared!
She heard the soldiers gallop away, and after a little time she heard Don Diego Vega depart in her father's carriage. And then she went out into the great room again to her parents.
"My father, it is impossible that I wed with Don Diego Vega," she said.
"What has caused your decision, my daughter?"
"I scarcely can tell, except that he is not the sort of man I wish for my husband. He is lifeless; existence with him would be a continual torment."
"Captain Ramón also has asked permission to pay you his addresses," Doña Catalina said.
"And he is almost as bad. I do not like the look in his eyes," the girl replied.
"You are too particular," Don Carlos told her. "If the persecution continues another year we shall be beggars. Here is the best catch in the country seeking you, and you would refuse him. And you do not like a high army officer because you do not fancy the look in his eyes!
"Think on it, girl! An alliance with Don Diego Vega is much to be desired. Perhaps, when you know him better, you will like him more. And the man may awaken. I thought I saw a flash of it this night, deemed him jealous because of the presence of the captain here. If you can arouse his jealousy—"
Señorita Lolita burst into tears, but soon the tempest of weeping passed, and she dried her eyes.
"I—I shall do my best to like him," she said. "But I cannot bring myself to say, yet, that I will be his wife."
She hurried into her room again, and called for the native woman who attended her. Soon the house was in darkness, and the grounds about it, save for the fires down by the adobe huts, where the natives told one another grim tales of the night's events, each trying to make his falsehood thegreatest. A gentle snore came from the apartment of Don Carlos Pulido and his wife.
But the Señorita Lolita did not slumber. She had her head propped on one hand, and she was looking through a window at the fires in the distance, and her mind was full of thoughts of Señor Zorro.
She remembered the grace of his bow, the music of his deep voice, the touch of his lips upon her palm.
"I would he were not a rogue!" she sighed. "How a woman could love such a man!"
Shortly after daybreak the following morning there was considerable tumult in the plaza at Reina de Los Angeles. Sergeant Pedro Gonzales was there with a score of troopers, almost all that were stationed at the localpresidio, and they were preparing for the chase of Señor Zorro.
The big sergeant's voice roared out above the din as men adjusted saddles and looked to bridles and inspected their water-bottles and small supplies of provisions. For Sergeant Gonzales had ordered that his force travel light, and live off the country as much as possible. He had taken the commands of his captain seriously—he was going after Señor Zorro, and did not propose to return until he had him—or had died in an effort to effect a capture.
"I shall nail the fellow's pelt to thepresidiodoor, my friend," he told the fat landlord. "Then I shall collect the governor's reward and pay the score I owe you."
"I pray the saints it may be true!" the landlord said.
"What, fool? That I pay you? Do you fear to lose a few small coins?"
"I meant that I pray you may be successful incapturing the man," the landlord said, telling the falsehood glibly.
Captain Ramón was not up to see the start, having a small fever because of his wound, but the people of thepueblocrowded around Sergeant Gonzales and his men, asking a multitude of questions, and the sergeant found himself the center of interest.
"This Curse of Capistrano soon shall cease to exist!" he boasted loudly. "Pedro Gonzales is on his trail. Ha! When I stand face to face with the fellow—"
The front door of Don Diego Vega's house opened at that juncture, and Don Diego himself appeared, at which the townsmen wondered a bit, since it was so early in the morning. Sergeant Gonzales dropped a bundle he was handling, put his hands upon his hips, and looked at his friend with sudden interest.
"You have not been to bed," he charged.
"But I have!" Don Diego declared.
"And are up again so soon? Here is some devilish mystery that needs an explanation!"
"You made noise enough to awaken the dead," Don Diego said.
"It could not be helped,caballero, since we are acting under orders."
"Were it not possible to make your preparations at thepresidioinstead of here in the plaza, or did you think not enough persons would see your importance there?"
"Now, by the—"
"Do not say it!" Don Diego commanded. "As a matter of fact, I am up early because I must make a confounded trip to myhacienda, a journey of some ten miles, to inspect the flocks and herds. Never become a wealthy man, Sergeant Gonzales, for wealth asks too much of a man."
"Something tells me that never shall I suffer on that account," said the sergeant, laughing. "You go with escort, my friend?"
"A couple of natives, that is all."
"If you should meet up with this Señor Zorro, he probably would hold you for a pretty ransom."
"Is he supposed to be between this place and myhacienda?" Don Diego asked.
"A native arrived a short time ago with word that he had been seen on the road running to Pala and San Luis Rey. We ride in that direction. And since yourhaciendais the other way, no doubt you will not meet the rascal now."
"I feel somewhat relieved to hear you say it. So you ride toward Pala, my sergeant?"
"We do. We shall try to pick up his trail as soon as possible, and once we have it we shall run this fox down. Meanwhile, we also shall attempt to find his den. We start at once."
"I shall await news eagerly," Don Diego said. "Good fortune go with you!"
Gonzales and his men mounted, and the sergeant shouted an order, and they galloped across the plaza, raising great clouds of dust, and took the highway toward Pala and San Luis Rey.
Don Diego looked after them until nothing could be seen but a tiny dust-cloud in the distance, then called for his own horse. He, too, mounted and rode away toward San Gabriel, and two native servants rode mules and followed a short distance behind.
But before he departed, Don Diego wrote a message and sent it by native courier to the Pulidohacienda. It was addressed to Don Carlos, and read:
The soldiers are starting this morning to pursue this Señor Zorro, and it has been reported that the highwayman has a band of rogues under his command and may offer battle. There is no telling, my friend, what may happen. I dislike having one in whom I am interested subjected to danger, meaning your daughter particularly, but also the Doña Catalina and yourself. Moreover, this bandit saw your daughter last evening, and certainly must have appreciated her beauty, and he may seek to see her again.I beg of you to come at once to my house in Reina de Los Angeles, and make it as your home until matters are settled. I am leaving this morning for myhacienda, but have left orders with my servants that you are to give what commands you will. I shall hope to see you when I return, which will be in two or three days.Diego.
The soldiers are starting this morning to pursue this Señor Zorro, and it has been reported that the highwayman has a band of rogues under his command and may offer battle. There is no telling, my friend, what may happen. I dislike having one in whom I am interested subjected to danger, meaning your daughter particularly, but also the Doña Catalina and yourself. Moreover, this bandit saw your daughter last evening, and certainly must have appreciated her beauty, and he may seek to see her again.
I beg of you to come at once to my house in Reina de Los Angeles, and make it as your home until matters are settled. I am leaving this morning for myhacienda, but have left orders with my servants that you are to give what commands you will. I shall hope to see you when I return, which will be in two or three days.
Diego.
Don Carlos read that epistle aloud to his wife and daughter, and then looked up to see how they took it. He scoffed at the danger himself, being an old war-horse, but did not wish to put his womenfolk in jeopardy.
"What think you?" he asked.
"It has been some time since we have visited thepueblo," Doña Catalina said. "I have some friends left among the ladies there. I think it will be an excellent thing to do."
"It certainly will not injure our fortunes to have it become known we are house guests of Don Diego Vega," Don Carlos said. "What does our daughter think?"
It was a concession to ask her, and Lolita realized that she was granted this unusual favor because of Don Diego's wooing. She hesitated some time before answering.
"I believe it will be all right," she said. "I should like to visit thepueblo, for we see scarcely anybody here at thehacienda. But people may talk concerning Don Diego and myself."
"Nonsense!" Don Carlos exploded. "Could there be anything more natural than that we should visit the Vegas, since our blood is almost as good as theirs and better than that of others?"
"But it is Don Diego's house, and not that of his father. Still—he will not be there for two or three days, he says, and we can return when he comes."
"Then it is settled!" Don Carlos declared. "I shall see my superintendent and give him instructions."
He hurried into thepatioand rang the big bell for the superintendent, being well pleased. For when the Señorita Lolita saw the rich furnishingsin the house of Don Diego Vega, she might the more readily accept Don Diego as a husband, he thought. When she saw the silks and satins, the elegant tapestries, the furniture inlaid with gold and studded with precious stones, when she realized that she could be mistress of this and much more besides—Don Carlos flattered himself that he knew the feminine heart.
Soon after thesiestahour, acarretawas brought before the door, drawn by mules and driven by a native. Doña Catalina and Lolita got into it, and Don Carlos bestrode his best horse and rode at its side. And so they went down the trail to the highway, and down the highway toward Reina de Los Angeles.
They passed folk who marveled to see the Pulido family thus going abroad, for it was well known that they had met with ill fortune and scarcely went anywhere now. It was even whispered that the ladies did not keep up with the fashions, and that the servants were poorly fed, but remained at thehaciendabecause their master was so kind.
But Doña Catalina and her daughter held their heads proudly, as did Don Carlos, and they greeted the people they knew, and so continued along the highway.
Presently they made a turning and could see thepuebloin the distance—the plaza, and the church with its high cross on one side of it, and the inn and storehouses, and a few residences of the morepretentious sort, like Don Diego's, and the scattered huts of natives and poor folk.
Thecarretastopped before Don Diego's door, and servants rushed out to make the guests welcome, spreading a carpet from thecarretato the doorway, that the ladies would not have to step in the dust. Don Carlos led the way into the house, after ordering that the horse and mules be cared for and thecarretaput away, and there they rested for a time, and the servants brought out wine and food.
They went through the rich house then, and even the eyes of Doña Catalina, who had seen many rich houses, widened at what she saw here in Don Diego's home.
"To think that our daughter can be mistress of all this when she speaks the word!" she gasped.
Señorita Lolita said nothing, but she began thinking that perhaps it would not be so bad after all to become the wife of Don Diego. She was fighting a mental battle, was Señorita Lolita. On the one side was wealth and position, and the safety and good fortune of her parents—and a lifeless man for husband; and on the other side was the romance and ideal love she craved. Until the last hope was gone she could not give the latter up.
Don Carlos left the house and crossed the plaza to the inn, where he met several gentlemen of age, and renewed acquaintance with them, albeit he noticed that none was enthusiastic in his greeting. They feared, he supposed, to appear openly friendlyto him, since he was in the bad graces of the governor.
"You are in thepuebloon business?" one asked.
"Not so,señor," Don Carlos replied, and gladly, since here was a chance to set himself right in part. "This Señor Zorro is abroad, and the soldiers after him."
"We are aware of that."
"There may be a battle, or a series of raids, since it is whispered that now Señor Zorro has a band of cutthroats with him, and myhaciendais off by itself and would be at the mercy of the thief."
"Ah! And so you bring your family to thepueblountil the matter is at an end?"
"I had not thought of doing so, but this morning Don Diego Vega sent out to me a request that I bring my family here and make use of his house for the time being. Don Diego has gone to hishacienda, but will return within a short time."
The eyes of those who heard opened a bit at that, but Don Carlos pretended not to notice, and went on sipping his wine.
"Don Diego was out to visit me yesterday morning," he continued. "We renewed old times. And myhaciendahad a visit from this Señor Zorro last night, as doubtless you have heard, and Don Diego, learning of it, galloped out again, fearing we had met with disaster."
"Twice in one day!" gasped one of those who heard.
"I have said it,señor."
"You—that is—your daughter is very beautiful, is she not, Don Carlos Pulido? And seventeen, is she not—about?"
"Eighteen,señor. She is called beautiful, I believe," Don Carlos admitted.
Those around him glanced at one another. They had the solution now. Don Diego Vega was seeking to wed Señorita Lolita Pulido. That meant that Pulido's fortunes would soon be at the flood again, and that he might feel called upon to remember his friends and look askance at those who had not stood by him.
So now they crowded forward, alert to do him honor, and asked concerning crops and the increase of his herds and flocks, and whether the bees were doing as well as usual, and did he think the olives were excellent this year.
Don Carlos appeared to take it all as a matter of course. He accepted the wine they bought and purchased himself, and the fat landlord darted about doing their bidding and trying to compute the day's profits in his head, which was a hopeless task for him.
When Don Carlos left the inn at dusk, several of them followed him to the door, and two of the more influential walked with him across the plaza to the door of Don Diego's house. One of these begged that Don Carlos and his wife visit his house that evening for music and talk, and Don Carlos graciously accepted the invitation.
Doña Catalina had been watching from a window,and her face was beaming when she met her husband at the door.
"Everything goes well," he said. "They have met me with open arms. And I have accepted an invitation to visit to-night."
"But Lolita?" Doña Catalina protested.
"She must remain here, of course. Will it not be all right? There are half a hundred servants about. And I have accepted the invitation, my dear!"
Such a chance to win favor again could not be disregarded, of course, and so Lolita was made acquainted with the arrangement. She was to remain in the great living-room, reading a volume of verse she had found there, and if she grew sleepy she was to retire to a certain chamber. The servants would guard her, and thedespenserowould look after her wishes personally.
Don Carlos and his wife went to make their evening visit, being lighted across the plaza by half a dozen natives who held torches in their hands, for the night was without a moon and rain was threatening again.
Señorita Lolita curled up on a couch, the volume of verse in her lap, and began to read. Each verse treated of love, romance, passion. She marveled that Don Diego would read such, being so lifeless himself, but the volume showed that it had been much handled. She sprang from the couch to look at other books on a bench not far away. And her amazement increased.
Volume after volume of poets who sang of love; volumes that had to do with horsemanship; books that had been written at the dictation of masters of fence; tales of great generals and warriors were there.
Surely these volumes were not for a man of Don Diego's blood, she told herself. And then she thought that perhaps he reveled in them, though not in the manner of life they preached. Don Diego was something of a puzzle, she told herself for the hundredth time; and she went back and began reading the poetry again.
Then Captain Ramón hammered at the front door.
Thedespenserohurried to open it.
"I regret that Don Diego is not at home,señor," he said. "He has gone to hishacienda."
"I know as much. Don Carlos and wife and daughter are here, are they not?"
"Don Carlos and his wife are out on a visit this evening,señor."
"Theseñorita—"
"Is here, of course."
"In that case, I shall pay my respects to theseñorita," Captain Ramón said.
"Señor!Pardon me, but the little lady is alone."
"Am I not a proper man?" the captain demanded.
"It—it is scarcely right for her to receive the visit of a gentleman when herdueñais not present."
"Who are you, to speak to me of the proprieties?" Captain Ramón demanded. "Out of my way, scum! Cross me, and you shall be punished. I know things concerning you!"
The face of thedespenserowent white at that, for the captain spoke the truth, and at a word could cause him considerable trouble and mayhap a term incárcel. Yet he knew what was right.
"But,señor—" he protested.
Captain Ramón thrust him aside with his leftarm, and stalked into the big living-room. Lolita sprang up in alarm when she saw him standing before her.
"Ah,señorita, I trust that I did not startle you," he said. "I regret that your parents are absent, yet must have a few words with you. This servant would deny me entrance, but I imagine you have naught to fear from a man with one wounded arm."
"It—it is scarcely proper, is it,señor?" the girl asked, a bit frightened.
"I feel sure no harm can come of it," he said.
He went across the room and sat down on one end of the couch, and admired her beauty frankly. Thedespenserohovered near.
"Go to your kitchen, fellow!" Captain Ramón commanded.
"No; allow him to remain," Lolita begged. "My father commanded it, and he courts trouble if he leaves."
"And if he remains. Go, fellow!"
The servant went.
Captain Ramón turned toward the girl again, and smiled upon her. He flattered himself that he knew women—they loved to see a man show mastery over other men.
"More beautiful than ever,señorita," he said in a purring voice. "I really am glad to find you thus alone, for there is something I would say to you."
"What can that be,señor?"
"Last night at your father'shaciendaI askedhis permission to pay my addresses to you. Your beauty has inflamed my heart,señorita, and I would have you for my wife. Your father consented, except that he said Don Diego Vega also had received permission. So it appears that it lies between Don Diego and myself."
"Should you speak of it,señor?" she asked.
"Certainly Don Diego Vega is not the man for you," he went on. "Has he courage, spirit? Is he not a laughing-stock because of his weakness?"
"You speak ill of him in his own house?" theseñoritaasked, her eyes flashing.
"I speak the truth,señorita. I would have your favor. Can you not look upon me with kindness? Can you not give me hope that I may win your heart and hand?"
"Captain Ramón, all this is unworthy," she said. "It is not the proper manner, and you know it. I beg you to leave me now."
"I await your answer,señorita."
Her outraged pride rose up at that. Why could she not be wooed as otherseñoritas, in the proper fashion? Why was this man so bold in his words? Why did he disregard the conventions?
"You must leave me," she said firmly. "This is all wrong, and you are aware of it. Would you make my name a by-word, Captain Ramón? Suppose somebody was to come and find us like this—alone?"
"Nobody will come,señorita. Can you not give me an answer?"
"No!" she cried, starting to get to her feet. "It is not right that you should ask it. My father, I assure you, shall hear of this visit!"
"Your father!" he sneered. "A man who has the ill-will of the governor! A man who is being plucked because he possessed no political sense! I fear not your father! He should be proud of the fact that Captain Ramón looks at his daughter."
"Señor!"
"Do not run away!" he said, clutching her hand. "I have done you the honor to ask you to be my wife—"
"Donemethe honor!" she cried angrily, and almost in tears. "It is the man who is done the honor when a woman accepts him."
"I like you when you rage," he observed. "Sit down again—beside me, here. And now give me your answer!"
"Señor!"
"You will wed me, of course. I shall intercede with the governor for your father and get a part of his estate restored. I shall take you to San Francisco de Asis, to the governor's house, where you will be admired by persons of rank!"
"Señor!Let me go!"
"My answer,señorita! You have held me off enough!"
She wrenched away from him, confronted him with blazing eyes, her tiny hands clenched at her sides.
"Wed with you?" she cried. "Rather would Iremain a maid all my life, rather would I wed with a native, rather would I die than wed with you! I wed acaballero, a gentleman, or no man! And I cannot say that you are such!"
"Pretty words from the daughter of a man who is about ruined."
"Ruin would not change the blood of the Pulidos,señor. I doubt whether you understand that, evidently having ill-blood yourself. Don Diego shall hear of this. He is my father's friend—"
"And you would wed the rich Don Diego, eh, and straighten out your father's affairs? You would not wed an honorable soldier, but would sell yourself—"
"Señor!" she shrieked.
This was beyond endurance. She was alone, there was nobody near to resent the insult. So her blood called upon her to avenge it herself.
Like a flash of lightning her hand went forward, and came against Captain Ramón's cheek with a crack. Then she sprang backward, but he grasped her by an arm, and drew her toward him.
"I shall take a kiss to pay for that!" he said. "Such a tiny bit of womanhood can be handled with one arm, thank the saints!"
She fought him, striking and scratching at his breast, for she could not reach his face. But he only laughed at her, and held her tighter until she was almost spent and breathless, and finally he threw back her head and looked down into her eyes.
"A kiss in payment,señorita!" he said. "It will be a pleasure to tame such a wild one."
She tried to fight again, but could not. She called upon the saints to aid her. And Captain Ramón laughed more, and bent his head, and his lips came close to hers.
But he never claimed the kiss. She started to wrench away from him again, and he was forced to strengthen his arm and pull her forward. And from a corner of the room there came a voice that was at once deep and stern.
"One moment,señor!" it said.
Captain Ramón released the girl and whirled on one heel. He blinked his eyes to pierce the gloom of the corner; he heard Señorita Lolita give a glad cry.
Then Captain Ramón, disregarding the presence of the lady, cursed, once and loudly, for Señor Zorro stood before him.
He did not pretend to know how the highwayman had entered the house; he did not stop to think of it. He realized that he was without a blade at his side, and that he could not use it had he one, because of his wounded shoulder. And Señor Zorro was walking toward him from the corner.
"Outlaw I may be, but I respect women!" the Curse of Capistrano said. "And you, an officer of the army, do not, it appears. What are you doing here, Captain Ramón?"
"And what do you here?"
"I heard a lady's scream, which is warrant enough for acaballeroto enter any place,señor. Itappears to me that you have broken all the conventions."
"Perhaps the lady has broken them also."
"Señor!" roared the highwayman. "Another thought like that and I cut you down where you stand, though you are a wounded man! How shall I punish you?"
"Despensero!Natives!" the captain shouted suddenly. "Here is Señor Zorro! A reward if you take him!"
The masked man laughed. "'Twill do you small good to call for help," he said. "Spend your breath in saying your prayers, rather!"
"You do well to threaten a wounded man."
"You deserve death,señor, but I suppose I must allow you to escape that. But you will go down upon your knees and apologize to thisseñorita! And then you will go from this house, slink from it like the cur you are, and keep your mouth closed regarding what has transpired here. If you do not, I promise to soil my blade with your life's blood!"
"Ha!"
"On your knees,señor, and instantly!" Señor Zorro commanded. "I have no time to waste in waiting."
"I am an officer—"
"On your knees!" commanded Señor Zorro again, in a terrible voice. He sprang forward and grasped Captain Ramón by his well shoulder, and threw him to the floor.
"Quickly, poltroon! Tell theseñoritathat you humbly beg her pardon—which she will not grant, of course, since you are beneath speaking to—and that you will not annoy her again! Say it, or, by the saints, you have made your last speech!"
Captain Ramón said it. And then Señor Zorro grasped him by the neck and lifted him, and propelled him to the door, and hurled him into the darkness. And had his boots not been soft, Captain Ramón would have been injured more deeply, both in feelings and anatomy.
Señor Zorro closed the door as thedespenserocame running into the room, to stare in fright at the masked man.
"Señorita, I trust that I have been of service," the highwayman said. "That scoundrel will not bother you further, else he feels the sting of my blade again."
"Oh, thank you,señor—thank you!" she cried. "I shall tell my father this good deed you have done.Despensero, get him wine!"
There was naught for the butler to do except obey, since she had voiced the order, and he hurried from the room, pondering on the times and the manners.
Señorita Lolita stepped to the man's side.
"Señor," she breathed, "you saved me from insult. You saved me from the pollution of that man's lips.Señor, though you deem me unmaidenly, I offer you freely the kiss he would have taken!"
She put up her face, and closed her eyes.
"And I shall not look when you raise your mask," she said.
"It were too much,señorita," he said. "Your hand—but not your lips."
"You shame me,señor! I was bold to offer it, and you have refused."
"You shall feel no shame," he said.
He bent swiftly, raised the bottom of his mask, and touched lightly her lips with his.
"Ah,señorita!" he said. "I would I were an honest man and could claim you openly. My heart is filled with love of you!"
"And mine with love of you!"
"This is madness! None must know!"
"I would not fear to tell the world,señor!"
"Your father and his fortunes! Don Diego!"
"I love you,señor."
"Your chance to be a great lady! Do you think I did not know Don Diego was the man you meant when we spoke in your father'spatio? This is a whim,señorita."
"It is love,señor, whether anything comes of it or not. And a Pulido does not love twice."
"What possibly could come of it but distress?"
"We shall see. God is good!"
"It is madness—"
"Sweet madness,señor!"
He clasped her to him and bent his head again, and again she closed her eyes and took his kiss, only this time the kiss was longer. She made no effort to see his face.
"I may be ugly," he said.
"But I love you."
"Disfigured,señorita—"
"Still, I love you!"
"What hope can we have?"
"Go,señor, before my parents return. I shall say nothing except that you saved me from insult and then went your way again. They will think that you came to rob Don Diego. And turn honest,señor, for my sake! Turn honest, I say, and claim me.
"No man knows your face, and if you take off your mask forever, none ever will know your guilt. It is not as if you were an ordinary thief. I know why you have stolen—to avenge the helpless, to punish cruel politicians, to aid the oppressed! I know that you have given what you have stolen to the poor. Oh,señor!"
"But my task is not yet done,señorita, and I feel called upon to finish it."
"Then finish it, and may the saints guard you, as I feel sure they will. And when it is finished, come back to me! I shall know you in whatever garb you come!"
"Nor shall I wait that long,señorita. I shall see you often. I could not exist else!"
"Guard yourself!"
"I shall in truth, now, since I have double reason. Life never was so sweet as now!"
He backed away from her slowly. He turned and glanced toward a window near at hand.
"I must go," he said. "I cannot wait for the wine."
"That was but a subterfuge so that we could be alone," she confessed.
"Until the next time,señorita, and may it not be long!"
"On guard,señor!"
"Always, loved one!Señorita, á Dios!"
Again their eyes met, and then he waved his hand at her, gathered his cloak close about his body, darted to the window and went through it. The darkness outside swallowed him.
Picking himself up out of the dust before Don Diego Vega's door, Captain Ramón darted through the darkness to the footpath that ran up the slope toward thepresidio.
His blood was aflame with rage, his face was purple with wrath. There remained at thepresidiono more than half a dozen soldiers, for the greater part of the garrison had gone with Sergeant Gonzales, and of these half dozen four were on the sick list and two were necessary as guards.
So Captain Ramón could not send men down to the Vega house in an effort to effect a capture of the highwayman; moreover, he decided that Señor Zorro would not remain there more than a few minutes, but would mount his horse and ride away, for the highwayman had a name for not resting long in one place.
Besides, Captain Ramón had no wish to let it become known that this Señor Zorro had met him a second time, and had treated him much like apeon. Could he give out the information that he had insulted aseñorita, and that Señor Zorro had punished him because of it; that Señor Zorro had caused him to get down upon his knees and apologize, andthen had kicked him through the front door like a dog?
The captain decided it were better to say nothing of the occurrence. He supposed that Señorita Lolita would tell her parents, and that thedespenserowould give testimony, but he doubted whether Don Carlos would do anything about it. Don Carlos would think twice before affronting an officer of the army, being the recipient already of the governor's frowns. Ramón only hoped that Don Diego would not learn much of the happening, for if a Vega raised hand against him, the captain would have difficulty maintaining his position.
Pacing the floor of his office, Captain Ramón allowed his wrath to grow, and thought on these things and many others. He had kept abreast of the times, and he knew that the governor and the men about him were sorely in need of more funds to waste in riotous living. They had plucked those men of wealth against whom there was the faintest breath of suspicion, and they would welcome a new victim.
Might not the captain suggest one, and at the same time strengthen his own position with the governor? Would the captain dare hint that perhaps the Vega family was wavering in its loyalty to the governor?
At least he could do one thing, he decided. He could have his revenge for the flouting the daughter of Don Carlos Pulido had given him.
Captain Ramón grinned despite his wrath as the thought came to him. He called for writing materials, and informed one of his well men thathe should prepare for a journey, being about to be named for a courier's job.
Ramón paced the floor for some minutes more, thinking on the matter and trying to decide just how to word the epistle he intended writing. And finally he sat down before the long table, and addressed his message to his excellency the governor, at his mansion in San Francisco de Asis.
This is what he wrote:
Your intelligences regarding this highwayman, Señor Zorro, as he is known, have come to hand. I regret that I am unable at this writing to report the rogue's capture, but I trust that you will be lenient with me in the matter, since circumstances are somewhat unusual.I have the greater part of my force in pursuit of the fellow, with orders to get him in person or to fetch me his corpse. But this Señor Zorro does not fight alone. He is being given succor at certain places in the neighborhood, allowed to remain in hiding when necessary, given food and drink, and, no doubt, fresh horses.Within the past day he visited thehaciendaof Don Carlos Pulido, acaballeroknown to be hostile to your excellency. I sent men there, and went myself. While my soldiers took up his trail the man came from a closet in the living-room at Don Carlos's house and attacked me treacherously. He wounded me in the right shoulder, but I fought him off until he became frightened and dashed away, making his escape. I may mention that I was hindered somewhat by this Don Carlos in pursuing the man. Also, when I arrived at thehacienda, indications were that the man had been eating his evening meal there.The Pulidohaciendais an excellent place for such a manto hide, being somewhat off the main highway. I fear that Señor Zorro makes it his headquarters when he is in this vicinity; and I await your instructions in the matter. I may add that Don Carlos scarcely treated me with respect while I was in his presence, and that his daughter, the Señorita Lolita, scarcely could keep from showing her admiration of this highwayman and from sneering at the efforts of the soldiery to capture him.There are also indications of a famous and wealthy family of this neighborhood wavering in loyalty to your excellency, but you will appreciate the fact that I cannot write of such a thing in a missive sent you by courier.With deep respect,Ramón, Comandante and Captain, Presidio,Reina de Los Angeles.
Your intelligences regarding this highwayman, Señor Zorro, as he is known, have come to hand. I regret that I am unable at this writing to report the rogue's capture, but I trust that you will be lenient with me in the matter, since circumstances are somewhat unusual.
I have the greater part of my force in pursuit of the fellow, with orders to get him in person or to fetch me his corpse. But this Señor Zorro does not fight alone. He is being given succor at certain places in the neighborhood, allowed to remain in hiding when necessary, given food and drink, and, no doubt, fresh horses.
Within the past day he visited thehaciendaof Don Carlos Pulido, acaballeroknown to be hostile to your excellency. I sent men there, and went myself. While my soldiers took up his trail the man came from a closet in the living-room at Don Carlos's house and attacked me treacherously. He wounded me in the right shoulder, but I fought him off until he became frightened and dashed away, making his escape. I may mention that I was hindered somewhat by this Don Carlos in pursuing the man. Also, when I arrived at thehacienda, indications were that the man had been eating his evening meal there.
The Pulidohaciendais an excellent place for such a manto hide, being somewhat off the main highway. I fear that Señor Zorro makes it his headquarters when he is in this vicinity; and I await your instructions in the matter. I may add that Don Carlos scarcely treated me with respect while I was in his presence, and that his daughter, the Señorita Lolita, scarcely could keep from showing her admiration of this highwayman and from sneering at the efforts of the soldiery to capture him.
There are also indications of a famous and wealthy family of this neighborhood wavering in loyalty to your excellency, but you will appreciate the fact that I cannot write of such a thing in a missive sent you by courier.
With deep respect,Ramón, Comandante and Captain, Presidio,Reina de Los Angeles.
Ramón grinned again as he finished the letter. That last paragraph, he knew, would get the governor guessing. The Vega family was about the only famous and wealthy one that would fit the description. As for the Pulidos, Captain Ramón imagined what would happen to them. The governor would not hesitate to deal out punishment, and perhaps the Señorita Lolita would find herself without protection, and in no position to reject the advances of a captain of the army.
Now Ramón addressed himself to the task of making a second copy of the letter, intending to send one by his courier and preserve the other for his files, in case something came up and he wished to refer to it.
Having finished the copy, he folded the originaland sealed it, carried it to the soldiers' lounging-room, and gave it to the man he had selected as courier. The soldier saluted, hurried out to his horse, and rode furiously toward the north, toward San Fernando and Santa Barbara, and on to San Francisco de Asis, with the orders ringing in his ears that he should make all haste and get a change of horses at every mission andpuebloin the name of his excellency.
Ramón returned to his office and poured out a measure of wine, and began reading over the copy of the letter. He half wished that he had made it stronger, yet he knew that it were better to make it mild, for then the governor would not think he was exaggerating.
He stopped reading now and then to curse the name of Señor Zorro, and frequently he reflected on the beauty and grace of the Señorita Lolita, and told himself she should be punished for the manner in which she had treated him.
He supposed that Señor Zorro was miles away by this time, and putting more miles between himself and Reina de Los Angeles; but he was mistaken in that. For the Curse of Capistrano, as the soldiers called him, had not hurried away after leaving the house of Don Diego Vega.
Señor Zorro had gone a short distance through the darkness to where he had left his horse in the rear of a native's hut, and there he had stood, thinking of the love that had come to him.
Presently he chuckled as if well pleased, then mounted and rode slowly toward the path that led to thepresidio. He heard a horseman galloping away from the place, and thought Captain Ramón had sent a man to call back Sergeant Gonzales and the troopers and put them on the fresher trail.
Señor Zorro knew how affairs stood at thepresidio, knew to a man how many of the soldiery were there, and that four were ill with a fever, and that there was but one well man now besides the captain since one had ridden away.
He laughed again, and made his horse climb the slope slowly so as to make little noise. In the rear of thepresidiobuilding he dismounted and allowed the reins to drag on the ground, knowing that the animal would not move from the spot.
Now he crept through the darkness to the wall of the building, and made his way around it carefully until he came to a window. He raised himself on a pile of adobe bricks and peered inside.
It was Captain Ramón's office into which helooked. Ho saw thecomandantesitting before a table reading a letter which, it appeared, he had just finished writing. Captain Ramón was talking to himself, as does many an evil man.
"That will cause consternation for the prettyseñorita," he was saying. "That will teach her not to flaunt an officer of his excellency's forces! When her father is in thecárcelcharged with high treason, and his estates have been taken away, then perhaps she will listen to what I have to say!"
Señor Zorro had no difficulty in distinguishing the words. He guessed instantly that Captain Ramón had planned a revenge, that he contemplated mischief toward the Pulidos. Beneath his mask the face of Señor Zorro grew black with rage.
He got down from the pile of adobe bricks and slipped on along the wall until he came to the corner of the building. In a socket at the side of the front door a torch was burning, and the only able-bodied man left in the garrison was pacing back and forth before the doorway, a pistol in his belt and a blade at his side.
Señor Zorro noted the length of the man's pacing. He judged the distance accurately, and just as the man turned his back to resume his march the highwayman sprang.
His hands closed around the soldier's throat as his knees struck the man in the back. Instantly they were upon the ground, the surprised trooper now doing his best to put up a fight. But Señor Zorro, knowing that a bit of noise might meandisaster for him, silenced the man by striking him on the temple with the heavy butt of his pistol.
He pulled the unconscious soldier back into the shadows, gagged him with a strip torn from the end of hisserape, and bound his hands and feet with other strips. Then he drew his cloak about him, looked to his pistol, listened a moment, to be sure the short fight with the soldier had not attracted the attention of any inside the building, and slipped once more toward the door.
He was inside in an instant. Before him was the big lounging-room with its hard dirt floor. Here were some long tables and bunks and wine mugs and harness and saddles and bridles. Señor Zorro gave it but a glance to assure himself that no man was there, and walked swiftly and almost silently across to the door that opened into the office of thecomandante.
He made sure that his pistol was ready for instant use, and then threw the door open boldly. Captain Ramón was seated with his back toward it, and now he whirled around in his chair with a snarl on his lips, thinking one of his men had entered without the preliminary of knocking, and ready to rebuke the man.
"Not a sound,señor!" the highwayman warned. "You die if as much as a gasp escapes your lips!"
He kept his eyes on those of thecomandante, closed the door behind him, and advanced into the room. He walked forward slowly, without speaking, the pistol held ready in front of him. CaptainRamón had his hands on the table before him, and his face had gone white.
"This visit is necessary,señor, I believe," Señor Zorro said. "I have not made it because I admire the beauty of your face."
"What do you here?" the captain asked, disregarding the order to make no sound, yet speaking in a tone scarcely above a whisper.
"I happened to look in at the window,señor. I saw an epistle before you on the table, and I heard you speak. 'Tis a bad thing for a man to talk to himself! Had you remained silent I might have gone on about my business. As it is—"
"Well,señor?" the captain asked, with a bit of his old arrogance returning to him.
"I have a mind to read that letter before you."
"Does my military business interest you that much?"
"As to that, we shall say nothing,señor. Kindly remove your hands from the table, but do not reach toward the pistol at your side unless you wish to die the death instantly. It would not grieve me to have to send your soul into the hereafter."
Thecomandantedid as he had been directed, and Señor Zorro went forward cautiously and snatched up the letter. Then he retreated a few paces again, still watching the man before him.
"I am going to read this," he said, "but I warn you that I shall watch you closely, also. Do not make a move,señor, unless it is your wish to visit your ancestors."
He read swiftly, and when he had finished he looked thecomandantestraight in the eyes for some time without speaking, and his own eyes were glittering malevolently through his mask. Captain Ramón began to feel more uncomfortable.
Señor Zorro stepped across to the table, still watching the other, and held the letter to the flame of a candle. It caught fire, blazed, presently dropped to the floor a bit of ash. Señor Zorro put one foot upon it.
"The letter will not be delivered," he said. "So, you fight women, do you,señor? A brave officer and an ornament to his excellency's forces! I doubt not he would grant you promotion if he knew of this. You insult aseñoritabecause her father, for the time being, is not friendly with those in power, and because she repulses you as you deserve, you set about to cause trouble for the members of her family. Truly, it is a worthy deed!"
He took a step closer and bent forward, still holding the pistol ready before him.
"Let me not hear of you sending any letter similar to the one I have just destroyed," he said. "I regret at the present time that you are unable to stand before me and cross blades. It would be an insult to my sword to run you through, yet would I do it to rid the world of such a fellow!"
"You speak bold words to a wounded man!"
"No doubt the wound will heal,señor. And I shall keep myself informed regarding it. And when it has healed and you have back your strength, Ishall take the trouble to hunt you up, and call you to account for what you have attempted doing this night. Let that be understood between us!"
Again their eyes blazed, each man's into those of the other, and Señor Zorro stepped backward and drew his cloak closer about him. To their ears there came, suddenly, a jangling of harness, the tramp of horses' feet, the raucous voice of Sergeant Pedro Gonzales.
"Do not dismount!" the sergeant was crying to his men at the door. "I but make report, and then we go on after the rogue! There shall be no rest until we take him!"
Señor Zorro glanced quickly around the room, for he knew escape by the entrance was cut off now. Captain Ramón's eyes flashed with keen anticipation.
"Ho, Gonzales!" he shrieked before Zorro could warn him against it. "To the rescue, Gonzales! Señor Zorro is here!"
And then he looked at the highwayman defiantly, as if telling him to do his worst.
But Señor Zorro had no desire to fire his pistol and let out the captain's life-blood, it appeared, preferring to save him for the blade when his shoulder should have healed.
"Remain where you are!" he commanded, and darted toward the nearest window.
The big sergeant had heard, however. He called upon his men to follow, and rushed across the large room to the door of the office and threw it open.A bellow of rage escaped him as he saw the masked man standing beside the table, and saw thecomandantesitting before it with his hands spread out before him.
"By the saints, we have him!" Gonzales cried. "In with you, troopers! Guard the doors! Some look to the windows!"
Señor Zorro had transferred his pistol to his left hand, and had whipped out his blade. Now he swept it forward and sidewise, and the candles were struck from the table. Zorro put his foot upon the only one that remained lighted, and extinguished it in that manner—and the room was in darkness.
"Lights! Bring a torch!" Gonzales shrieked.
Señor Zorro sprang aside, against the wall, and made his way around it rapidly while Gonzales and two other men sprang into the room, and one remained guarding the door; while in the other room several ran to get a torch, and managed to get in one another's way.
The man with the torch came rushing through the door finally, and he shrieked and went down with a sword-blade through his breast, and the torch fell to the floor and was extinguished. And then, before the sergeant could reach the spot, Señor Zorro was back in the darkness again and could not be found.
Gonzales was roaring his curses now and searching for the man he wished to slay, and the captain was crying to him to be careful and not put his blade through a trooper by mistake. The other men werestorming around; in the other room one came with a second torch.
Zorro's pistol spoke, and the torch was shot from the man's hand. The highwayman sprang forward and stamped upon it, putting it out, and again retreated to the darkness, changing his position rapidly, listening for the deep breathing that would tell him the exact location of his various foes.
"Catch the rogue!" thecomandantewas shrieking. "Can one man thus make fools of the lot of you?"
Then he ceased to speak, for Señor Zorro had grasped him from behind and shut off his wind, and now the highwayman's voice rang out above the din.
"Soldiers, I have your captain! I am going to carry him before me and back out the door. I am going to cross the other room and so reach the outside of the building. I have discharged one pistol, but I am holding its mate at the base of the captain's brain. And when one of you attacks me, I fire, and you are without a captain!"
The captain could feel cold steel at the back of his head, and he shrieked for the men to use caution. And Señor Zorro carried him to the doorway and backed out with the captain held in front of him, while Gonzales and the troopers followed as closely as they dared, watching every move, hoping for a chance to catch him unaware.
He crossed the big lounging-room of thepresidio,and so came to the outside door. He was somewhat afraid of the men outside, for he knew that some of them had run around the building to guard the windows. The torch was still burning just outside the door, and Señor Zorro put up his hand and tore it down and extinguished it. But still there would be grave danger the moment he stepped out.
Gonzales and the troopers were before him, spread out fan-fashion across the room, bending forward, waiting for a chance to get in a blow. Gonzales held a pistol in his hand—though he made out to despise the weapon—and was watching for an opportunity to shoot without endangering the life of his captain.
"Back,señores!" the highwayman commanded now. "I would have more room in which to make my start. That is it—I thank you! Sergeant Gonzales, were not the odds so heavy, I might be tempted to play at fence with you and disarm you again."
"By the saints—"
"Some other time, my sergeant! And now,señores, attention! It desolates me to say it, but I had only the one pistol. What the captain has been feeling all this time at the base of his brain is naught except a bridle buckle I picked up from the floor. Is it not a pretty jest?Señores, á Dios!"
Suddenly he whirled the captain forward, darted into the darkness, and started toward his horse with the whole pack at his heels and pistol flashes splitting the blackness of the night and bullets whistling by his head. His laughter came back to them on the stiffening breeze that blew in from the distant sea.