 CHAPTER XXXIV. THE SIGN OF THE FOX. An hour after dusk that night a native sought out one of the Caballeros with the intelligence that a gentleman wished to speak to him immediately, and that this gentleman was evidently wealthy since he had given the native a coin for carrying the message, when he might just as well have given nothing more than a cuff alongside the head. Also, that the mysterious gentleman would be waiting along the path that led toward the San Gabriel Trail, and to be sure that the Caballero would come, he had bade the native say that there was a fox in the neighborhood. A fox? Zorro? Fox! the Caballero thought, and then he ruined the native forever by giving him another coin. He went to the rendezvous immediately, and there he found Senior Zorro sitting his big horse, his face masked, the cloak wrapped around his body. You will pass the word, Caballero, Senior Zorro said. I would have all men who are loyal and wished to do so meet at midnight in the little valley beyond the hill. You know the place? See? I shall be waiting. Then Senior Zorro wheeled his horse and dashed away in the darkness, and the Caballero went back to the Pueblo and passed the word to those men he knew could be depended upon, and urged upon them that they pass it to others of the league. One went to Don Diego's house, but was told by the despensero that Don Diego had complained of a fever and had retired to his chamber, and had left word that he would flay alive any servant who dared enter the room unless he called. Near the hour of midnight the Caballeros began slipping from the Pueblo one at a time, each upon the back of his best horse, and each armed with sword and pistol. Each man had a mask that could be put over his features instantly, for that had been decided upon at Don Alejandro's hacienda, among other things. The Pueblo was in darkness, save that there were lights in the tavern, where some of his excellency's escort made merry with the local troopers. For Sergeant Pedro Gonzales had returned with his men just before nightfall, glad to be back from a fruitless chase, and hoping that the next scent would be warmer. Those in the tavern had gone down the hill from the Presidio, some leaving their horses there without saddles or bridles on, and they had no thought of an encounter with Sr. Zoro this night. The fat landlord was kept busy, for the soldiers from the north had coins in their purses, and were willing to spend them. Sergeant Gonzales, holding the attention of the company as usual, was detailing at length what he would do to this Sr. Zoro if the saints were kind enough to let them meet and grant him his blade in his hand. There were lights in the big lounging-room with the Presidio, too, for few of the soldiers had retired, and there were lights in the house where his excellency was a guest, but the remainder of the pueblo was in darkness, and the people slept. In the car cell there was no light at all except one canal burning in the office where a sleepy man was on guard. The jailer was in his bed. Prisoners moaned on the hard benches in the prison room. Don Carlos Pulido stood before a window, looking up at the stars, and his wife and daughter huddled on a bench beside him, unable to sleep in such surroundings. The Caballeros found Sr. Zoro waiting for them as he had said he would be, but he remained aloof, scarcely speaking a word, until all were present. Are all here? he asked then. All except Don Diego Vega, one replied, he is ill with a fever, Sr., and all the Caballeros chuckled, for they had an idea the fever was caused by cowardice. I take it that you know something of what is in my mind, Sr. Zoro said. We know what has happened to Don Carlos Pulido and the ladies of his family. We know they are innocent of any treason, and were they not, they should not have been taken to car cell and incarcerated with common felons and drunkards. Think of those gentle ladies in such surroundings. Think of it, because Don Carlos has the ill will of the governor. It is the sense of the league that something be done in this matter. If it is not, then will I do something by myself? Rescue them, a Caballero said, and the others growled their approval. Here was a chance for risk and adventure and an opportunity to do a good deed. We must enter the Pueblo quietly, Sr. Zoro said. There is no moon, and we will not be observed if we use caution. We shall approach the car cell from the south. Each man will have his task to do. Some will surround the building to give notice if any approach it. Others must be ready to beat off the soldiers if they respond to an alarm. Others will affect an entrance to the car cell with me and rescue the prisoners. It is an excellent plan, one said. That is but a small part of it. Don Carlos is a proud man, and if given time for reflection may refuse to be rescued, we cannot allow that. Certain ones will seize him and take him from the place. Others will attend to the Dona Catalina. I will undertake to care for the Sr. Rita. Now, we have them free, and then what? He heard murmurs, but no distinct reply, and so he continued to outline the plan. All will ride to the highway just below this place, he said. At that point we shall scatter. Those who have the Dona Catalina in charge will hasten with her to the Hacienda of Don Alejandro Vega, where she can be hidden if necessary, and where the governor's soldiers will hesitate before entering and seizing her. Those who have Don Carlos in charge will take the road to Pala, and at a certain point, some ten miles from the Pueblo, they will be met by two natives of understanding who will give the sign of the fox. The natives will take Don Carlos in charge and care for him. When these things are done, each caballero will ride to his home quietly and alone, telling what story pleases him, and using great caution. I shall have conducted the Sr. Rita to a safe place by that time. She shall be given into the keeping of Old Frey Felipe, a man we can trust, and he will hide her if he must. Then we will watch to see what the governor does. What can he do? a caballero asked. Have them search for, of course. We must await developments, Sr. Zorro said. Are all now ready? They assured him that they were, and so he named the men for each task, and then they left the little valley and rode slowly and cautiously around the little town, and approached it from the south. They heard the soldiers shouting and singing in the tavern, saw the lights in the prosidio, and crept toward the car-cell quietly, riding two by two. In a short time it had been surrounded by quiet, determined men, and then Sr. Zorro and four others dismounted, and went to the door of the building. CHAPTER XXXI OF THE MARK OF ZARRO This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of some Seville, South Carolina. The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCully. CHAPTER XXXI. THE RESCUE Sr. Zorro knocked upon it with the hilt of his sword. They heard a man gasp inside, presently heard his steps on the stone flooring, and after a little time light showed through the cracks, and the aperture was opened, and the sleepy face of the guard appeared. What is wanted, he asked. Sr. Zorro thrust the muzzle of his pistol through the aperture and into the man's face, and in such fashion that the little door could not be closed. Open, if you value your life. Open, and make not the slightest sound. Sr. Zorro commanded. What is this? Sr. Zorro is talking to you. By the saints! Open, fool, or you die instantly. I'll open the door. Do not shoot, good Sr. Zorro. I am only a poor guard and not a fighting man. I pray you do not shoot. Open quickly. As soon as I can fit key to lock, good Sr. Zorro. They heard him rattling the keys. Presently one was turned in the lock, and the heavy door was thrown open. Sr. Zorro and his four companions rushed inside, and slammed and fastened the door again. The guard found the muzzle of a pistol pressed against the side of his head, and would have knelt before these five masked and terrible men, only one of them caught him by the hair and held him up. Where sleeps the keeper of this infernal hole? Sr. Zorro demanded. In your under-room, Sr. And where have you put Don Carlos Pulido and his ladies? In the common prison room, Sr. Zorro motioned to the others, strode across the room, and threw open the door to the jailer's chamber. The man already was sitting up in bed, having heard the sounds in the other room, and he blinked in fright when he beheld the high-women by the light of the candle. Do not make a move, Sr. Zorro warned. One screech, and you were a dead man. Sr. Zorro confronts you. May the saints preserve me! Where are the keys to the prison rooms? On that table, Sr. Sr. Zorro picked them up, and then whirled upon the jailer again, and rushed toward him. Lie down, he commanded. On your face, scoundrel! Sr. Zorro tore strips from a blanket, and bound the jailer's hands and feet, and made a gag which he affixed. To escape death, he said, then, it is necessary for you to remain exactly as you are now, without making a sound, for some time after we have left the carcel. I shall leave it to your own judgment to decide the length of time. Then he hurried back into the main office, beckoned the others, and led the way down the evil-smelling hall. Which door, he asked of the guard, the second one, Sr.? They hurried to it, and Sr. Zorro unlocked it, and threw it open. He forced the guard to hold a candle high above his head. A gasp of pity came from beneath the High Woman's mask. He saw the aged Don standing by the window, saw the two women crouched on the bench, saw the vile companions they had in this miserable place. Now, may heaven forgive the governor! he cried. Sr. Ita Lolita looked up in alarm, and then gave a glad cry. Don Carlos' world at the High Woman's words. Sr. Zorro! he gasped. The same, Don Carlos. I have come with some friends to rescue you. I cannot allow it, Sr. I shall not run away from what is in store for me, and it would avail me little to have you do the rescuing. I am accused now of harboring you, I understand. How will it look then if you affect my escape? There is no time for argument, Sr. Zorro said. I am not alone in this, but have twenty-six men with me, and a man of your blood, and gentle ladies such as those of your family, should not spend an entire night in this miserable hole if we can prevent it. Caballeros! The last word was one of command. Two of the caballeros threw themselves upon Don Carlos, subdued him quickly, and half carried him into the hall, and along it towards the office. Two others grasped the Doña Catalina by the arms, as gently as they could, and so carried her along. Sr. Zorro bowed before the Sr. Eta, and extended a hand which she clasped gladly. You must trust me, Sr. Eta! he said. To love is to trust, Sr. All things have been arranged. Ask no questions, but do as I bid. Come! He threw an arm around her, and so led her from the prison-room, leaving the door open behind him. If some of the miserable wretches there could win through and out of the building, Sr. Zorro had no wish to prevent them. More than half of them, he judged, were there because of prejudice or injustice. Don Carlos was causing an unearthly clamor, shouting that he refused to be rescued, and that he would stay and face the Governor at the trial, and show the blood that was in him. Don Catalina was whimpering a bit because of fright, but made no resistance. They reached the office, and Sr. Zorro ordered the guard to a corner of it, with instructions to remain there quietly for some time after they had gone, and then one of the Caballeros threw open the outside door. There was a tumult outside at that moment. Two soldiers had approached with a fellow caught stealing at the tavern, and the Caballeros had stopped them. One glance at the masked faces had been enough to tell the troopers that here was something wrong. A soldier fired a pistol, and a Caballero answered the fire, neither hitting the mark. But the shooting was enough to attract the attention of those in the tavern, and also of the guards at the Presidio. Troopers at the Presidio were awakened immediately, and took the places of the guards while the ladder mounted, and spurred down the hill to ascertain the cause of the sudden tumult at that hour of the night. Sergeant Pedro Gonzales and others hurried from the tavern. Sr. Zorro and his companions found themselves facing a resistance when they least expected it. The jailer had gathered courage enough to work himself free of gag and bonds, and he shrieked through a window of his chamber that prisoners were being rescued by Sr. Zorro. His shriek was understood by Sergeant Gonzales, who screeched for his men to follow him and earn a part of his Excellency's reward. But the Caballeros had their three rescued prisoners on horseback, and they spurred through the gathering throng and so dashed across the plaza and toward the highway. Shots flew about them, but no man was hit. Don Carlos Pulido was still screaming that he refused to be rescued. Dona Catalina had fainted, for which the Caballero who had her in charge was grateful, since he could give more attention to his horse and weapons. Sr. Zorro rode wildly with the Sr. Rita Lodita in the saddle before him. He spurred his magnificent horse ahead of all the others, and so led the way to the high road. And when he had reached it, he pulled up his mount and watched the others come galloping to the spot to ascertain whether there had been casualties. Carry out your orders, Caballeros! He commanded when he saw that all he won through safely. And so the ban was broken into three detachments. One rushed along the Palo Road with Don Carlos. Another took the highway that would lead them to the Hacienda of Don Alejandro. Sr. Zorro, riding without any of his comrades at his side, galloped toward Fre Felipe's place. The Sr. Rita's arms clasped tightly about his neck, and the Sr. Rita's voice in his ear. I knew that you would come for me, Sr.—she said, I knew you were a true man, and would not see me and my parents remain in that miserable place. Sr. Zorro did not answer her with words, for it was not a time for speech with his enemies so close at his heels, but his arm pressed the Sr. Rita closer to him. He had reached the crest of the first hill, and now he stopped the horse to listen for sounds of pursuit, and to watch the flickering lights far behind. For there was a multitude of lights in the plaza now, and in all the houses, for the pueblo had been aroused. The Presidio building was ablaze with light, and he could hear a trumpet being blown, and knew that every available trooper would be sent on the chase. The sound of galloping horses came to his ears. The troopers knew in what direction the rescuers had traveled, and the pursuit would be swift and relentless, with his excellency on the scene to offer fabulous rewards, and urge on his men with promises of good posts and a promotion. But one thing pleased Sr. Zorro as his horse galloped down the dusty highway, and the Sr. Rita clung to him, and the keen wind cut into his face. He knew that the pursuit would have to be divided into three parties. He pressed the Sr. Rita to him again, put spurs to his horse, and rode furiously through the night. CHAPTER 32 This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. The Mark of Zorro, by Johnston McCully. CHAPTER 32 CLOSE QUARTERS Over the hills peeped the moon. Sr. Zorro would have had the sky heavy with clouds this night, and the moon obscured. Could he have had things his own way? For now he was riding along the upper trail, and his pursuers were close behind, and could see him against the brightening sky. The horses ridden by the troopers were fresh, too, and the most of those belonging to the men of his Excellencies escort were magnificent beasts as swift as any in the country, and able to endure many miles of travel at a terrific pace. But now the High Women thought only of getting all the speed possible out of his own mount, and of making as great as he could the distance between himself and those who followed, for at the end of his journey he would need quite a little time, if he was to accomplish what he had set out to do. He bent low over the Sr. Rita and felt his horse with the reins, making himself almost a part of the animal he rode, as any good horseman can. He reached the crest of another hill, and glanced back before he began the descent into the valley. He could see the foremost of his pursuers. Had Sr. Zorro been alone, no doubt the situation would have caused him no uneasiness, for many times he had been in a position more difficult, and had escaped. But the Sr. Rita was on the saddle before him now, and he wanted to get her to a place of safety, not only because she was the Sr. Rita and the woman he loved, but also because he was not the sort of man to let a prisoner he had rescued be recaptured. Such an event he felt would be a reflection on his skill and daring. Mile after mile he rode, the Sr. Rita clinging to him, and neither speaking a word. Sr. Zorro knew that he had gained some on those who followed, but not enough to suit his purpose. Now he urged his horse to greater effort, and they flew along the dusty highway, past haciendas where the hounds barked and sudden alarm, past the huts of natives where the clamor of beating hoofs on the hard road caused bronze men and women to tumble from their bunks and rush to their doors. Once he charged through a flock of sheep that was being driven to Reina de Los Angeles and the market there, and scattered them to either side of the road, leaving cursing herders behind him. The herders gathered the flock again just in time to have the pursuing soldiers scatter it once more. On and on he rode, really could see, far ahead, the mission buildings at San Gabriel glistening in the moonlight. He came to a fork in the road and took the trail that ran to the right toward the hacienda of Fray Felipe. Sr. Zorro was a reader of men, and he was trusting to his judgment to-night. He had known that the Sr. Rita Lolita would have to be left either where there were women, elsewhere there was a robed Franciscan to stand guard over her, for Sr. Zorro was determined to protect his lady's good name, and so he was pinning his faith to Old Fray Felipe. Now the horse was galloping over softer ground, and was not making such good speed. Sr. Zorro had little hope that the troopers would turn into the San Gabriel Road when they arrived at the fork, as they might have done had it not been moonlight, and they had been unable to catch sight now and then of the man they pursued. He was within a mile of Fray Felipe's hacienda now, and once more he gave his horse the spurs in an effort to obtain greater speed. "'I shall have scant time, Sr. Rita,' he said, bending over her and speaking into her ear. Everything may depend upon whether I have been able to judge a man correctly. I ask only that you trust me.' "'You know I do that, Sr.' And you must trust the man to whom I am carrying you, Sr. Rita, and listen well to his advice upon all matters concerned with his adventure. The man is a Fray.' "'Then everything will be well, Sr.' She replied, clinging to him closely. If the saints are kind we shall meet again soon, Sr. Rita. I shall count the hours and deem each one of them an age. I believe there are happier days ahead for us. May heaven grant it!' The girl breathed. "'Where there is love there may be hope, Sr. Rita.' "'Then my hope is great, Sr.' And mine,' he said.' He turned his horse into Fray Felipe's driveway now, and dashed toward the house. His intention was to stop only long enough to leave the girl, hoping that Fray Felipe would afford her protection, and then, right on, making considerable noise and drawing the troopers after him. He wanted them to think that he was merely taking a shortcut across Fray Felipe's land to the other road, and that he had not stopped at the house. He reigned in his horse before the verandah steps, sprang to the ground and lifted the Sr. Rita from the saddle, hurrying with her to the door. He beat against it with his fist, praying that Fray Felipe was a light sleeper and easily aroused. From the far distance there came a low drumming sound that he knew was made by the hoofs of his pursuers' horses. It seemed to Sr. Zorro that it was an age before the old Fray threw open the door, and stood framed in it, holding a candle in one hand. The High Woman stepped in swiftly and closed the door behind him so no light would show outside. Fray Felipe had taken a step backward in astonishment when he beheld the masked man and the Sr. Rita he escorted. I am Sr. Zorro, Fray, the High Woman said, speaking swiftly and in low tones. Perhaps you may feel that you owe a small debt for certain things? For punishing those who oppressed and mistreated me, I owe you a large debt, Caballero, though it is against my principles to countenance violence of any sort, Fray Felipe replied. I was sure that I had made no mistake in reading your character. Sr. Zorro went on. This Sr. Rita is Lolita, the only daughter of Don Carlos Pulido. Ha! Don Carlos is a friend of the Frayiles, as you well know, and has known oppression and persecution the same as they. Today the governor came to Reina de Los Angeles and had Don Carlos arrested and thrown into the car-cell on a charge that has no true worth, as I happen to know. He also had the Donia Catalina and this young lady put in car-cell in the same prison-room with drunkards and disillute women. With the aid of some good friends I rescued them. May the saints bless you, Sr., for that kind action! Fray Felipe cried. Troopers are pursuing us, Fray. It is not seemly, of course, that the Sr. Rita ride farther with me alone. Do you, taker and hider, Fray, unless you fear that such a course may cause you grave trouble? Sr., Fray Felipe thundered. If the soldiers take her they will put her in car-cell again, and probably she will be mistreated. Care for her, then. Protect her, and you will more than discharge any obligation you may feel that you owe me. And you, Sr., I shall ride on, that the troopers may pursue me and not stop here at your house. I shall communicate with you later, Fray. It is agreed between us? It is agreed! Fray Felipe replied solemnly. And I would clasp you by the hen, Sr. That hand-class was short, yet full of expression for all that. Sr. Zorro then whirled toward the door. Blow out your candle, he directed. They must see no light when I open the door. In an instant Fray Felipe had complied, and they were in darkness. Sr., Lolita felt Sr. Zorro's lips press against her own for an instant, and knew that he had raised the bottom of his mask to give her this caress. And then she felt one of Fray Felipe's strong arms around her. Be of good courage, daughter! the Fray said. Sr., Zorro, it appears, has as many lives as a cat. And something tells me he was not born to be slain by troopers of his exhalancy. Both highwaymen laughed lightly at that, opened the door and darted through, closed it softly behind him, and so was gone. Great eucalyptus trees shrouded the front of the house in shadows, and in the midst of these shadows was Sr. Zorro's horse. He noticed, as he ran toward the beast, that the soldiers were galloping down the driveway, that they were much nearer than he had expected to find them when he emerged from the house. He ran quickly toward his mount, tripped on a stone and fell, and frightened the animal so that it reared and darted half a dozen paces away, and into the full moonlight. The foremost of his pursuers shouted when he saw the horse, and dashed toward it. Sr. Zorro picked himself up, gave a quick spring, caught the reins from the ground, and vaulted into the saddle. But they were upon him now, surrounding him, their blades flashing in the moonlight. He heard the raucous voice of Sergeant Gonzalez ordering the men, Alive, if you can, soldiers! His Excellency would see the rogue suffer for his crimes! Add him, troopers, by the Saints! Sr. Zorro parried a stroke with difficulty, and found himself unhorsed. On foot he fought his way back into the shadows, and the troopers charged after him. With his back to the bowl of a tree Sr. Zorro fought them off. The trees sprang from their saddles to rush in at him. He darted from the tree to another, but could not reach his horse. But one belonging to a dismounted trooper was near him, and he vaulted into the saddle and dashed down the slope toward the barns and corral. After the rogue, he heard Sergeant Gonzalez shouting, His Excellency will have us flayed alive if this pretty highwomen escapes us now! They charged after him, eager to win promotion and the reward. But Sr. Zorro had some sort of a start of them, enough to enable him to play a trick. As he came into the shadow cast by a big barn, he slipped from the saddle, at the same time giving the horse he rode a cut with his rowls. The animal plunged ahead, snorting with pain and fright, running swiftly through the darkness toward the corral below. The soldiers dashed by in pursuit. Sr. Zorro waited until they were past, and then he ran rapidly up the hill again. But he saw that some of the troopers had remained behind to guard the house, evidently with the intention of searching it later, and so he found he could not reach his horse. And once more there rang out that peculiar cry, half shriek and half moan, with which Sr. Zorro had startled those at the hacienda of Don Carlos Pulido. His horse raised its head, winnied once an answer to his call, and galloped toward him. Sr. Zorro was in the saddle in an instant, spurring across a field directly in front of him. His horse went over a stone fence, as if it had not been in the way, and after him speedily came apart of the troopers. They had discovered the trick he had used. They charged at him from both sides, met behind him, followed, and strained to cut down his lead. He could hear Sergeant Pedro Gonzalez shouting lustily for them to make a capture in the name of the governor. He hoped that he had drawn them all away from Frey Felipe's house, but he was not sure, and the thing that demanded his attention the most now was the matter of his own escape. He urged his horse cruelly, knowing that this journey across plowed ground was taking the animal's strength. He longed for a hard trail, the broad highway. And finally he reached the ladder. Now he turned his horse's head toward Reina de Los Angeles, for he had work to do there. There was no Sr. Rita before him on the saddle now, and the horse felt the difference. Sr. Zorro glanced behind, and exalted to find that he was running away from the soldiers. Over the next hill and he would be able to allude them. But he had to be on guard, of course, for there might be troopers in front of him, too. His Excellency might have sent reinforcements to Sergeant Gonzalez, or might have been watching from the tops of the hills. He glanced at the sky and saw that the moon was about to disappear behind a bank of clouds. He would have to make use of the short period of darkness, he knew. Down into the little valley he rode, and looked back to see that his pursuers were only at the crest of the hill. Then came the darkness and at the proper time. Sr. Zorro had a lead of half a mile on the pursuing soldiers now, but it was not his intention to allow them to chase him into the Pueblo. He had friends in this locality. Beside the highway was an adobe hut where there lived a native Sr. Zorro had saved from a beating. Now he dismounted before the hut, and kicked against the door. The frightened native opened it. I am pursued, Sr. Zorro said. That appeared to be all that was necessary, for the native immediately threw the door of the hut open wider. Sr. Zorro led his horse inside, almost filling the crude building, and the door was hastily shut again. Behind it the highwayman and the native stood listening, the former with pistol in one hand and his naked blade in the other. CHAPTER 33 OF THE MARK OF ZORRO This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. THE MARK OF ZORRO by Johnston McCully CHAPTER 33 FLIGHT AND PERSUIT That the determined pursuit of Sr. Zorro and his band of Caballeros from the car cell had been taken up so quickly was due to Sergeant Pedro Gonzalez. Sergeant Gonzalez had heard the shots and had rushed from the tavern with the other troopers at his heels, glad of an excuse to escape without paying for the wine he had ordered. He had heard the shout of the jailer and had understood it and immediately had grasped the situation. SONIOR ZORRO IS RESCUEING THE PRISONERS He screeched, the highwayman is in our midst again! Two horse troopers and after him there is a reward! They all knew about the reward, especially the members of the governor's bodyguard, who had heard his excellency rave at mention of the highwayman's name and declare he would make a captain of the trooper who captured him or brought in his carcass. They rushed for their horses, swung themselves into their saddles and dashed across the plaza toward the car cell with Sergeant Gonzalez at their head. They saw the masked Caballeros galloping across the plaza and Sergeant Gonzalez rubbed his eyes with the back of one hand and swore softly that he had been taking so much wine. He had lied so often about SONIOR ZORRO having a band of men at his back that here was the band materialized out of his falsehoods. When the Caballeros split into three detachments, Sergeant Gonzalez and his troopers were so near them that they observed the maneuver. Gonzalez quickly made three troops of the men who followed him and sent a troop after each band. He saw the leader of the Caballeros turn toward Sangabriel. He recognized the leap of the great horse the highwayman rode, and he took after SONIOR ZORRO with an exultant heart, being of a mind to capture or slay the highwayman rather than to retake any of the rescued prisoners. For Sergeant Pedro Gonzalez had not forgotten the time SONIOR ZORRO had played with him in the tavern at Reina de Los Angeles, nor had he given up the idea of taking his vengeance for it. He had seen SONIOR ZORRO's horse run before, and he wondered a bit now because the highwayman was not putting greater distance between himself and his pursuers. And Sergeant Gonzalez guessed the reason that SONIOR ZORRO had SONIOR RETO LOLIDA POLIDO on the saddle before him and was carrying her away. Gonzalez was in the lead, and now and then he turned his head and shouted orders and encouragement to his troopers. The miles flew beneath them, and Gonzalez was glad because he was keeping SONIOR ZORRO in sight. "'To Frey Felipe's! That is where he is riding!" Gonzalez told himself. "'I knew that old Frey was in league with the Bandit. In some manner he tricked me when I thought the SONIOR ZORRO had his hacienda before. Perhaps this highwayman has a clever hiding place there. Ha! By the saint I shall not be tricked again!" On they rode, now and then catching glimpses of the man they pursued, and always in the mind of Gonzalez and his troopers were thoughts of the reward and promotion a capture would mean. Their horses were beginning to show some fatigue already, but they did not spare the animals. They saw SONIOR ZORRO turn into the driveway that led to Frey Felipe's house, and Sergeant Gonzalez chuckled low down in his throat because he felt that he had guessed correctly. He had the highwayman now. If SONIOR ZORRO continued to ride, he would be seen and followed because of the bright moonlight. If he stopped, SONIOR ZORRO could not hope to cope successfully with half a score of troopers with Gonzalez at their head. They dashed up to the front of the house and started to surround it. They saw SONIOR ZORRO's horse, and then they saw the highwayman himself, and Gonzalez cursed because half a dozen troopers were between him and his prey, and were at him with their swords, threatening to end the business before Gonzalez could reach the scene. He tried to force his horse into the fight. He saw SONIOR ZORRO spring into a saddle and dash away, and the troopers after him. Gonzalez, not being close, gave his attention to the other half of his duty. He bade some of his soldiers surround the house so that none could leave it. Then he saw SONIOR ZORRO take the stone fence and started in pursuit, all except the guards around the house joining him. But SONIOR ZORRO went only as far as the crest of the first hill. He noticed how the highwayman's horse was running and realized that he could not be overtaken. Perhaps the SONIOR ZORRO could gain some glory if he returned to fray Felipe's house and recaptured the SONIORITA. The house was still being guarded when he dismounted before it, and his men reported that none had attempted to leave the building. He called two of his men to his side and knocked on the door. Almost instantly, it was opened by fray Felipe. Are you just from bed, fray? Gonzalez asked. Is it not a time of night for honest men to be a bed? Fray Felipe asked in turn. It is, fray. Yet we find you out of it. How does it happen that you have not come from the house before? Did we not make enough noise to awaken you? I heard sounds of combat. And you may hear more, fray. Else feel the sting of a whip again unless you answer questions swiftly and to the point. Do you deny that SONIOR ZORRO has been here? I do not. Ha! Now we have it. You admit, then, that you are in league with this pretty highwayman? That you shield him upon occasion? You admit that, fray? I admit nothing of the sort, fray Felipe replied. I never set my eyes on this SONIOR ZORRO to my knowledge until a very few minutes ago. That is a likely story. Tell it to the stupid natives. But do not try to tell it to a wise trooper, fray. What did this SONIOR ZORRO wish? You were so close upon the man's heels, SONIOR, that he scarce had time to wish for anything, fray Felipe said. Yet you had some speech with him. I opened the door at his knock, SONIOR, the same as I opened it at yours. What said he? That soldiers were pursuing him. And he asked that you hide him so he could escape capture at our hands? He did not. Wanted a fresh horse, did he? He did not say as much, SONIOR. If he is such a thief as he has painted, undoubtedly he would merely have taken a horse without asking had he wanted it. Ha! What business had he with you then? It would be well for you to answer openly, fray. Did I say that he had business with me? Ha! By the saints! The saints are better off your lips, SONIOR, boaster and drunkard. Do you wish to receive another beating, fray? I am riding on his excellency's business. Do not you delay me further. What said this pretty highwayman? Nothing that I am at liberty to repeat to you, SONIOR? Fray Felipe said. Sergeant Gonzales pushed him aside roughly and entered the living-room, and his two troopers followed at his heels. Light the candelero! Gonzales commanded his men. Take candles if you can find any. We searched the house. You searched my poor house? Fray Felipe cried. And what do you expect to find? Fray Felipe asked. I expect to find a piece of merchandise, this pretty SONIOR Zorro left here, fray. What do you imagine he left? Ha! A package of clothing, I suppose. A bundle of loot, a bundle of wine. A saddle to be mended. What would the fellow leave, fray? One thing impresses me. SONIOR Zorro's horse carried double when he arrived at your house, and was carrying none but SONIOR Zorro when he departed. What do you expect to find? The other half of the horse's load, replied Gonzales. Failing to find it, we may try a twist or two of your arm to see whether you can be made to speak. You would dare. You would so affront affray. You would descend to torture? Meal-mush and goat's milk, quoth Sergeant Gonzales. You fold me once in some manner, but you will not so fool me again. Watch the house, troopers, and be sure that you search it well. I shall remain in this room and keep this entertaining fray company. I shall endeavour to discover what his sensations were when he was being whipped for swindling. Coward and brute, fray Philippe thundered, there may come a time when persecution shall cease. Meal-mush and goat's milk. When this disorder shall end, and honest men be given their just dues, fray Philippe cried, when those who have founded a rich empire here shall receive the true fruits of their labour and daring, instead of having them stolen by dishonest politicians and men who stand in their favour. Goat's milk and meal-mush, fray. When there shall be a thousand senior sorrows and more, if necessary, to ride up and down El Camino Real and punish those who do wrong, sometimes I would that I were not afraid that I might play such a game myself. We'd run you down in short order and stretch a rope with your weight, Sergeant Gonzales told him. Did you help his Excellency soldiers more? Perhaps his Excellency would treat you with more consideration. I give thee to no spawn of the devil, fray Philippe said. Ha! Now you grow angry, and that is against your principles. Is it not the part of a robed fray to receive what comes his way and give thanks for it, no matter how much it jokes him? Answer me that, angry one. You have about as much knowledge of a Franciscan's principles and duties as has the horse you ride. I ride a wise horse, a noble animal. He comes when I call, and gallops when I command. Do not deride him until you ride him. Ha! An excellent jest. Impasul mil machengots milk, said Sergeant Gonzales. End of chapter 34 of the Mark of Zorro. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCully. Chapter 34 The Blood of the Pulidos. The two troopers came back into the room. They had searched the house well, they reported, invading every corner of it, and no trace had been found of any person other than Fray Felipe's native servants, all of whom were too terrified to utter a falsehood, and had said they had seen nobody around the place who did not belong there. Ha! Hidden away well, no doubt, Gonzales said. Fray, what is that in the corner of the room? Bails of hides, Fray Felipe replied. I have been noticing it from time to time. The dealer from San Gabriel must have been right when he said the hides he purchased of you were not properly cured. Are those? I think you will find them so. Then why did they move? Sergeant Gonzales asked. Three times I saw the corner of a bail move. Soldiers searched there. Fray Felipe sprang to his feet. Enough of this nonsense, he cried. You have searched and found nothing. Search the barns next and then go. At least let me be a master in my own house. You have disturbed my rest enough as it is. You will take a solemn oath, Fray, that there is nothing alive behind those bales of hides? Fray Felipe hesitated, and Sergeant Gonzales grinned. Not ready to forswear yourself, eh? The sergeant asked. I had a thought you would hesitate at that, my robed Franciscan. Soldiers, search the bales. The two men started toward the corner, but they had not covered one half the distance when Sr. Rita Lolita Polito stood up behind the bales of hides and faced them. Ha! Unearthed at last! Gonzales cried. Here is the package Sr. Zorro left in the Fray's keeping, and a pretty package it is. Back to Carcel, she goes, and this escape will but make her final sentence the greater. But there was Polito blood in the Sr. Rita's veins, and Gonzales had not taken that into account. Now the Sr. Rita stepped to the edge of the pile of hides so that light from the candelero struck full upon her. One moment, señores! she said. One hand came from behind her back, and in it she held a long, keen knife such as sheep skinners used. She put the point of the knife against her breast and regarded them bravely. Sr. Rita Lolita Polito does not return to the foul Carcel now or at any time, señores! she said. Rather would she plunge this knife into her heart, and so die as a woman of good blood should. If his Excellency wishes for a dead prisoner, he may have one. Sergeant Gonzales uttered an exclamation of annoyance. He did not doubt that the Sr. Rita would do as she had threatened if the men made an attempt to seize her. And while he might have ordered the attempt in the case of an ordinary prisoner, he did not feel sure that the Governor would say he had done right if he ordered it now. After all, Sr. Rita Polito was the daughter of a Don, and her self-inflicted death might cause trouble for his Excellency. It might prove the spark to the powder magazine. Sr. Rita, the person who takes his or her own life, risks eternal damnation, the sergeant said. Ask this fray if it is not so. You are only under arrest, not convicted and sentenced. If you are innocent, no doubt you soon will be set at liberty. It is no time for lying speeches, senor. The girl replied, I realize the circumstance is only too well. I have said that I will not return to Garcelle, and I meant it, and mean it now. One step toward me, and I take my own life. Sr. Rita, Fray Felipe began. It is useless for you to attempt to prevent me, good Fray. She interrupted. I have pride left me, thank the Saints. His Excellency gets only my dead body, if he gets me at all. Here is a pretty mess, Sergeant Gonzalez exclaimed. I suppose there is nothing for us to do except retire and leave the Sr. Rita to her freedom. Ah, no, senor. She quiet quickly. You are clever, but not clever enough by far. You would retire and continue to have your men surround the house? You would watch for an opportunity and then seize me? Gonzalez growled low in his throat, for that had been his intention, and the girl had read it. I shall be the one to leave, she said. Walk backward, and stand against the wall, senorys. Do it immediately, or I plunge this knife into my bosom. They could do nothing except obey. The soldiers looked to the sergeant for instructions, and the sergeant was afraid to risk the Sr. Rita's death, knowing it would call down upon his head the wrath of the governor who would say that he had bungled. Perhaps, after all, it would be better to let the girl leave the house. She might be captured afterward, for surely a girl could not escape the troopers. She watched them closely as she darted across the room to the door. The knife was still held at her breast. Fray Felipe, you wish to go with me? She asked. You may be punished if you remain. Yet I must remain, Sr. Rita. I could not run away. May the Saints protect you. She faced Gonzalez and the soldiers once more. I am going through this door, she said. You will remain in this room. There are troopers outside, of course, and they will try to stop me. I shall tell them that I have your permission to leave. If they call and ask you, you are to say that it is so. And if I do not, then I use the knife, senor. She opened the door, turned her head for an instant, and glanced out. I trust that your horse is an excellent one, senor, for I intend to use it, she told the sergeant. She darted suddenly through the door and slammed it shut behind her. After her! Gonzalez cried. I looked into her eyes. She will not use the knife. She fears it. He hurled himself across the room, the two soldiers with him. But Fray Felipe had been passive long enough. He went into action now. He did not stop to consider the consequences. He threw out one leg and tripped Sergeant Gonzalez. The two troopers crashed into him and all went to the floor in a tangle. Fray Felipe had gained some time for her, and it had been enough. For the senior Rita had rushed to the horse and had jumped into the saddle. She could ride like a native. Her tiny feet did not reach halfway to the sergeant's stirrups, but she thought nothing of that. She wheeled the horse's head, kicked at his sides as a trooper rushed around the corner of the house. A pistol-ball whistled past her head. She bent lower over the horse's neck and rode. Now a cursing Sergeant Gonzalez was on the veranda, shouting for his men to get to horse and follow her. The tricky moon was behind a bank of clouds again. They could not tell the direction the senior Rita was taking except by listening for the sounds of the horse's hoofs. And they had to stop to do that, and if they stopped they lost time and distance. Carolina. The Mark of Zorro By Johnston McCully Chapter 35 The Clash of Blades Again Senior Zorro stood like a statue in the native's hut, one hand grasping his horse's muzzle, the native crouched at his side. Down the highway came the drumming of horse's hoofs. Then the pursuit swept by, the men calling to one another and cursing the darkness and rushed down the valley. Senior Zorro opened the door and glanced out, listened for a moment, and then let out his horse. He tendered the native a coin. Not from you, senior? The native said. Take it, you have need of it, and I have not. The high woman said. He vaulted into the saddle and turned his horse up the steep slope of the hill behind the hut. The animal made little noise as it climbed to the summit. Senior Zorro descended into the depression on the other side and came to a narrow trail, and along this he rode at a slow gallop, stopping his mount thou and then to listen for sounds of other horsemen who might be abroad. He rode toward Reina de Los Angeles, but he appeared to be in no hurry about arriving at the Pueblo. Senior Zorro had another adventure planned for this night, and it had to be accomplished at a certain time and under certain conditions. It was two hours later when he came to the crest of the hill above the town. He sat quietly in the saddle for some time regarding the scene. The moonlight was fitful now, but now and then he could make out the plaza. He saw no troopers, heard nothing of them, decided that they had ridden back in pursuit of him, and that those who had been sent in pursuit of Don Carlos and the Doña Catalina had not yet returned. In the tavern there were lights and in the Presidio and in the house where his Excellency was a guest. Senior Zorro waited until it was dark, and then urged his horse forward slowly, but off the main highway. He circled the Pueblo and in time approached the Presidio from the rear. He dismounted now and led his horse going forward slowly, often stopping to listen, for this was a very ticklish business, and might end in disaster if a mistake were made. He stopped the horse behind the Presidio, where the wall of the building would cast a shadow if the moon came from behind the clouds again, and went forward cautiously, following the wall as he had done on that other night. When he came to the office window he peered inside. Captain Ramon was there, alone, looking over some reports spread on the table before him, evidently awaiting the return of his men. Senior Zorro crept to the corner of the building and found there was no guard. He had guessed and hoped that the Comandante had sent every available man to the chase, but he knew that he would have to act quickly, for some of the troopers might return. He slipped through the door and crossed the big lounging-room, and so came to the door of the office. His pistol was in his hand, and could a man have seen behind the mask he would have observed that Senior Zorro's lips were crushed in a thin, straight line of determination. As upon that other night, Captain Ramon whirled around in his chair when he heard the door open behind him, and once more he saw the eyes of Senior Zorro glittering through his mask, saw the muzzle of the pistol menacing him. Not a move, not a sound! It would give me pleasure to fill your body with hot lead. Senior Zorro said, You are alone, your silly troopers are chasing me where I am not. I'm by the saints, Captain Ramon breathed, not so much as a whisper, senior, if you hope to live. Turn your back to me. You would murder me? I am not that sort, Comandante, and I said for you to make not a sound. Put your hands behind your back, for I am going to bind your wrists. Captain Ramon complied. Senior Zorro stepped forward swiftly, and bound the wrists with his own sash, which he tore from his waist. Then he whirled Captain Ramon around so that he faced him. Where is his Excellency? He asked. Had Don Juan Estados' house? I knew as much, but wanted to see whether you prefer to speak the truth to-night. It is well if you do so. We are going to call upon the Governor. To call upon his Excellency, I said, and do not speak again. Come with me. He grasped Captain Ramon by the arm and hurried him from the office, across the lounging-room, out of the door. He piloted him around the building to where the horse was waiting. Mount, he commanded. I shall sit behind you, with the muzzle of this pistol at the base of your brain. Make no mistake, Comandante, unless you are tired of life. I am a determined man this night." Captain Ramon had observed it. He mounted as he was directed, and the highwayman mounted behind him and held the reins with one hand and the pistol with the other. Captain Ramon could feel the touch of cold steel at the back of his head. Senior Zorro guided his horse with his knees instead of with the reins. He urged the beast down the slope and circled the town once more, keeping away from the beaten trails, and so approached the rear of the house where his Excellency was a guest. Here was the difficult part of the adventure. He wanted to get Captain Ramon before the Governor to talk to both of them and to do it without having anybody else interfere. He forced the Captain to dismount and led him to the rear wall of the house. There was a patio there, and they entered it. It appeared that Senior Zorro knew the interior of the house well. He entered it through a servants room, taking Captain Ramon with him, and passed through into a hall without awakening the sleeping native. They went along the hall slowly. From one room came the sound of snoring. From beneath the door of another, light streamed. Senior Zorro stopped before that door and applied an eye to a crack at the side of it. If Captain Ramon harbored thoughts of voicing an alarm or of offering battle, the touch of the pistol at the back of his head caused him to forget them. And he had scant time to think of a way out of this predicament, for suddenly Senior Zorro through opened the door, hurled Captain Ramon through it, followed himself, and shut the door quickly behind him. In the room there were his Excellency and his host. Silence and do not move, Senior Zorro said. The slightest alarm and I put a pistol-ball through the governor's head. That is understood? Very well, Senor Ace. Senor Zorro! the governor gasped. The same, your Excellency. I ask your host to be not frightened, for I mean him no harm if he sits quietly until I am done. Captain Ramon kindly sit across the table from the governor. I am delighted to find the head of the state awake and awaiting news from those who are chasing me. His brain will be clear, and he can understand better what is said. What means this outrage? The governor exclaimed. Captain Ramon, how comes this? Seize this man! You are an officer! Do not blame the commandante, Senor Zorro said. He knows it is death to make a move. There is a little matter that needs explanation, and since I cannot come to you in broad day as a man should, I am forced to adopt this method. Make yourselves comfortable, Senor Ace. This may take some little time. His Excellency fidgeted in his chair. You have this day insulted a family of good blood, your Excellency. Senor Zorro went on. You have forgotten the proprieties to such an extent that you have ordered thrown into your miserable carcel a Hidalgo and his gentle wife and innocent daughter. You have taken such means to gratify a spite. They are traitors, his Excellency said. What have they done of treason? You are an outlaw with a price put upon your head. They have been guilty of harboring you, giving you aid. Where got you this information? Captain Ramon has an abundance of evidence. Ha, the commandante, hey! We shall see about that. Captain Ramon is present and we can get at the truth. May I ask the nature of your evidence? You were at the Pulido Hacienda, the Governor said. I admit it. A need of saw you and carried word to the Presidio. The soldiers hurried out to effect your capture. A moment. Who said a native sounded the alarm? Captain Ramon assured me so. Here is the first chance for the Captain to speak the truth. As a matter of fact, commandante, was it not Don Carlos Pulido himself who sent the native, the truth? It was a native brought word. And he did not tell your sergeant that Don Carlos had sent him? Did he not say that Don Carlos had slipped him the information in whispers while he was carrying his fainting wife to her room? Is it not the truth that Don Carlos did his best to hold me at his Hacienda until the soldiers arrived that I might be captured? Did not Don Carlos thus try to show his loyalty to the Governor? By the Saints Ramon you never told me as much. His Excellency cried. They are traitors, the Captain declared stubbornly. What other evidence? Senior Zorro asked. Why, when the soldiers arrived, you concealed yourself by some trick? The Governor said. Impresently Captain Ramon himself reached the scene, and while he was there you crept from a closet, ran him through treacherously from behind and made your escape. It is an evident fact that Don Carlos had hidden you in the closet. By the Saints, Senior Zorro swore. I had thought, Captain Ramon, that you were man enough to admit defeat, though I knew you for a scoundrel and other things. Tell the truth. That is the truth. Tell the truth! Senior Zorro commanded, stepping closer to him and bringing up the pistol. I came from that closet and spoke to you. I gave you time to draw blade and get on guard. We fenced for fully ten minutes, did we not? I admit freely that for a moment you puzzled me, and then I solved your method of giving battle and I knew you were at my mercy. And then, when I could have slain you easily, I but scratched your shoulder. Is not that the truth? Answer, as you hope to live. Captain Ramon licked his dry lips and could not meet the Governor's eyes. Answer! Senior Zorro thundered. It is... The truth, the Captain acknowledged. Ha! So I ran you through from behind, eh? It is an insult to my blade to have it enter your body. You see, Your Excellency, what manner of man you have for a commandante here. Is there more evidence? There is, the Governor said. When the Politos were guests at the House of Don Diego Vega and Don Diego was away, Captain Ramon went to pay his respects and found you there alone with the Senorita. And that shows what? That you are in league with the Politos, that they harbored you even in the House of Don Diego, a loyal man. And when the Captain discovered you there, the Senorita flung herself upon him and held him, delayed him, rather, until you made your escape through a window. Is not that enough? Senior Zorro bent forward, and his eyes seemed to burn through the mask and into those of Captain Ramon. So that is the tale he told, eh? The Highwomen said, As a matter of fact, Captain Ramon is enamored of the Senorita. He went to the House, found her alone, forced his attentions upon her, even told her that she should not object since her father was in the bad graces of the Governor. He attempted to caress her, and she called for help. I responded. How did you happen to be there? I do not care to answer that. But I take my oath the Senorita did not know of my presence. She called for aid, and I responded. I made this thing you call a commondante, kneel before her and apologize. And then I took him to the door and kicked him out into the dust. And afterwards I visited him at the Brasil, and told him that he had given insult to a noble Senorita. It appears that you hold some love for her yourself, the Governor said. I do, your Excellency, and am proud to admit it. Ha! You condemn her and her parents by that statement. You deny now that they are in league with you? I do. Her parents do not know of our love. This Senorita is scarcely conventional. Senor, Governor or no, another thought like that, and I spill your blood. Senor Zorro cried. I have told you what happened that night in the House of Don Diego Vega. Captain Ramon will testify that what I have said is the exact truth. Is it not, Commondante? Answer. It is the truth. The Captain gulped, looking at the muzzle of the High Woman's Pistol. Then you have told me falsehood and can no longer be an officer of mine. The Governor cried. It appears that this High Woman can do as he pleases with you. Ha! But I still believe that Don Carlos Polito is a traitor, and the members of his family, and it has availed you nothing, Senor Zorro, to play this little scene. My soldiers shall continue to pursue them, and you, and before they are done, I'll have the Politos dragged in the dirt, and I'll have you stretching a rope with your carcass. Quite a bold speech, observed Senor Zorro. You set your soldiers a pretty task, your Excellency. I rescued your three prisoners tonight, and they have escaped. They shall be retaken. Time alone will tell that, and now I have another duty to perform here. Your Excellency, you will take your chair to that far corner and sit there, and your host will sit beside you, and there you shall remain until I have finished. What do you mean to do? Obey me, Senor Zorro cried. I have scant time for argument, even with a governor. He watched while the two chairs were placed, and the governor and his host had seated themselves, and then he stepped nearer, Captain Ramon. You insulted a pure and innocent girl, Comandante, he said. For that you shall fight. Your scratched shoulder is healed now, and you wear your blade by your side. Such a man as you is not fit to breathe God's pure air. The country is better for your absence, on your feet, Senor, and on guard. Captain Ramon was white with rage. He knew that he was ruined. He had been forced to confess that he had lied. He had heard the governor remove his rank, and this man before him had been the cause of it all. Perhaps, in his anger, he could kill this Senor Zorro, stretch this curse of Capistrano on the floor with his life-blood flowing away. Perhaps, if he did that, his excellency would relent. He sprang from his chair and backward to the governor. Unfasten my wrists, he cried. Let me at this dog! You were as good as dead before. You certainly are dead after using that word. Senor Zorro said calmly. The Comandante's wrists were untied. He whipped out his blade, sprang forward with a cry, and launched himself in a furious attack upon the high woman. Senor Zorro gave ground before this onslaught, and so obtained a position where the light from the candellero did not bother his eyes. He was skilled with the blade, had ed fence for life many times, and he knew the danger in the attack of an angered man who did not fence according to the code. And he knew, too, that such anger is spent quickly, unless a fortunate thrust makes the possessor of it Victor almost at once, and so he retreated, step by step, guarding well, parrying vicious strokes, alert for an unexpected move. The governor and his host were sitting in their corner, but bending forward and watching the combat. Run him through, Ramon, and I reinstate and promote you! His excellency cried. The Comandante thus was urged to do it. Senor Zorro found his opponent fighting much better than he had before in Don Carlos Politos' house at the Hacienda. He found himself forced to fight out of a dangerous corner, and the pistol he held in his left hand to intimidate the governor and his host bothered him. And suddenly he tossed it to the table, and then swung around so that neither of the two men could dart from a corner and get it without running the chance of receiving a blade between the ribs. And there he stood his ground and fought. Captain Ramon could not force him to give way now. His blade seemed to be a score. It darted in and out, trying to find a resting place in the captain's body. For Senor Zorro was eager to have an end of this and be gone. He knew that the Don was not far away, and he feared that some trooper might come to the house with a report for the governor. Fight, insultor of girls! He cried. Fight, man who tells a falsehood to injure a noble family! Fight, coward impotrune! Now death stares you in the face, and soon you'll be claimed. Ha! I almost had you then! Fight, curr! Captain Ramon cursed and charged, but Senor Zorro received him and drove him back, and so held his position. The perspiration was standing out on the captain's forehead in great globules. His breath was coming heavily from between his parted lips. His eyes were bright and bulging. Fight, weakling! The highwomen taunted him. This time I am not attacking from behind. If you have prayers to say, say them, for your time grows short. The ringing blades, the shifting feet on the floor, the heavy breathing of the combatants, and of the two spectators of this life-and-death struggle were the only sounds in the room. His excellency sat far forward on his chair, his hands gripping the edges of it so that his knuckles were white. Kill me, this highwomen! He shrieked. Use your good skill, Ramon! At him! Captain Ramon rushed again. Calling in to play his last bit of strength, fencing with what skill he could command. His arms were as lead, his breath was fast. He thrust, he lunged, and made a mistake of a fraction of an inch. Like the tongue of a serpent, Senior Zoro's blade shot in. Thrice it darted forward, and upon the fair brow of Ramon, just between the eyes, there flamed suddenly a red, bloody letter Z. The mark of Zoro, the highwomen cried. You wear it forever now, Comandante. Senior Zoro's face became more stern. His blade shot in again and came out dripping red. The Comandante gaffed and slipped to the floor. You have slain him, the governor cried. You have taken his life, Rich! Ha! I trust so. The thrust was through the heart, excellency. He never will insult a seniorita again. Senior Zoro looked down at his fallen foe, regarded the governor a moment, then wiped his blade on the sash that had bound the Comandante's wrists. He returned the blade to its scabbard, and picked up his pistol from the table. My knight's work is done, he said. And you shall hang for it, his excellency cried. Perhaps, when you catch me, replied the curse of Capistrano bowing ceremoniously. Then, without glancing again at the twitching body of him who had been Captain Ramon, he whirled through the door and was in the hall, and rushed through it to the patio and to his horse. End of chapter. Chapter 36 of The Mark of Zoro This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. The Mark of Zoro, by Johnston McCully. Chapter 36 All Against Them And he rushed into danger. The dawn had come. The first pink streaks had appeared in the eastern sky, and then the sun had risen quickly above the heights to the east, and now the plaza was bathed in brilliance. There was no mist, no high fog even, and objects on the hillsides far away stood out in relief. It was no morning in which to ride for life and freedom. Senior Zoro had delayed too long with the governor in Comandante. Else had misjudged the hour. He swung into his saddle and urged his beast out of the patio, and then a full realization of his imminent peril came to him. Down the trail from San Gabriel came Sergeant Pedro Gonzalez and his troopers. Down the Polar Road came another detachment of soldiers that had been trailing the Caballeros and Don Carlos, and had given up and discussed. Over the hill toward the Presidio came the third body of men who had been in chase of those who had rescued the Doña Catalina. Senior Zoro found himself hemmed in by his foes. The curse of Capistrano deliberately stopped his horse, and for a moment contemplated the outlook. He glanced at the three bodies of troopers, estimated distance, and in that instant one with Sergeant Gonzalez's detachment saw him and raised the alarm. They knew that magnificent horse, that long purple cloak, that black mask and wide sombrero. They saw before them the man they had been pursuing throughout the night, the man who had made fools of them and played with them about the hills and valleys. They feared the rage of his Excellency and their superior officers, and in their hearts and minds was determination to capture or slay this curse of Capistrano now as this last chance was offered them. Senior Zoro put spurs to his horse and dashed across the plaza in full view of some score of citizens. Just as he did that the Governor and his host rushed from the house shrieking that Senior Zoro was a murderer and should be taken. Natives scurried like so many rats for shelter, men of rank stood still and gaped in astonishment. Senior Zoro, having crossed the plaza, drove his horse at highest speed straight toward the highway. Sergeant Gonzalez and his troopers rushed to cut him off and turn him back, shrieking at one another, pistols in their hands, blades loosened in their scabbards. Reward and promotion and satisfaction were to be their lot if they made an end of the highwaymen here and now. Senior Zoro was forced to swerve from his first course, for he saw that he could not win through. He had not taken his pistol from his belt, but he had drawn his blade and it dangled from his right wrist in such fashion that he could grip the hilt of it instantly and put it into play. He cut across the plaza again, almost running down several men of rank who were in the way. He passed within a few paces of the infuriated Governor and his host, darted between two houses, and rushed toward the hills in that direction. It appeared that he had some small chance of escaping the cordon of his foes now. He scorned paths and trails and cut across the open ground, from both sides the troopers galloped to meet him, flying toward the angle of the wedge, hoping to reach it in time and turn him back once more. Gonzalez was shouting orders in his great voice, and he was sending a part of his men down into the Pueblo so that they would be in proper position in case the highwaymen turned back again and could keep him from escaping to the west. He reached the highway and started down it toward the south. It was not the direction he would have preferred, but he had no choice now. He dashed around a curve in the road, where some natives huts cut off the view, and suddenly he pulled up his horse, almost unseating himself. For here a new menace presented itself. Straight at him along the highway flew a horse and rider, and close behind came half a dozen troopers in pursuit. Senior Zorro whirled his horse. He could not turn to the right because of a stone fence. His horse could have jumped it, but on the other side was soft, plowed ground, and he knew he could make no progress across it, and that the troopers might cut him down with a pistol bullet. Nor could he turn to the left, for there was a sheer precipice down which he could not hope to ride with safety. He had to turn back toward Sergeant Gonzalez and the men who rode with him, hoping to get a distance of a couple of hundred yards, where he could make a descent before Gonzalez and his men arrived at the spot. He gripped his sword now and was prepared for fight, for he knew it was going to be close work. He glanced back over his shoulder and gashed his surprise. For it was Sr. Rita Lolita Polito who rode that horse and was pursued by the half-dozen troopers, and he had thought her safe at the Hacienda Afre Felipe. Her long black hair was down and streaming out behind her. Her tiny heels were glued to the horse's flanks. She bent forward as she rode, holding the reins low down, and Sr. Zorro, even in that instant, marveled at her skill with a mount. Sr., he heard her shout. And then she had reached his side and they rode together, dashing down upon Gonzalez and his troopers. They have been chasing me for hours, she gasped. I escaped them at Frey Felipe's. Ride close, do not waste breath, he screeched. My horse, it is almost done, Sr. Sr. Zorro glanced aside at the beast and saw that he was suffering from fatigue, but there was scant time to consider that now. The soldiers behind it gained some, those in front presented a lively menace that required deep consideration. Down the trail they flew, side by side, straight at Gonzalez and his men. Sr. Zorro could see that pistols were out, and he doubted not that the governor had given orders to get him, dead or alive, but to see that he did not escape again. Now he spurred a few paces in advance of the Sr. Rita, and called upon her to ride his horse's tracks. He dropped the reins on his mount's neck and held his blade ready. He had two weapons, his blade and his horse. Then came the crash. Sr. Zorro swerved his horse at the proper instant, and the Sr. Rita followed him. He cut at the trooper on his left, swung over and cut at the one on his right. His horse crashed into that of a third trooper, and hurled it against the animal the sergeant rode. He heard shrill cries about him. He knew that the men who had been pursuing Sr. Rita Lolita had run into the others, and that there was a certain mount of confusion that they could not use blades for fear of cutting down one another. And then he was through them, with the Sr. Rita riding at his side again. Once more he was at the edge of the plaza. His horse was showing signs of weariness, and he had gained nothing. For the way to San Gabriel was not open, the way to Palo was closed. He could not hope to escape by cutting across soft ground, and on the opposite side of the plaza were more troopers, in saddle and waiting to cut him off, no matter in which direction he started. We are caught! he shouted. But we are not done, Sr. Rita. My horse is stumbling! she cried. Sr. Zorro saw that it was so. He knew that the beast could not make another hundred yards. To the tavern! he cried. They galloped straight across the plaza. At the door of the tavern the Sr. Rita's horse staggered and fell. Sr. Zorro caught the girl in his arms in time to save her from a hard fall, and, still carrying her, darted through the tavern door. Out! he cried to the landlord and the native servant. Out! he shrieked to half a dozen loiterers, exhibiting his pistol. They rushed through the door and into the plaza. The high woman threw the door shut and bolded it. He saw that every window was closed, except the one that fronted on the plaza, and that the board and skin coverings were in place. He stepped to the table and then whirled to face the Sr. Rita. It may be the end, he said. Sr., surely the saints will be kind to us? We are beset by foes, Sr. Rita. I care not, so that I die fighting as a caballero should, but you, Sr. Rita. They shall never put me in the foul carousel again, Sr. I swear it! Rather would I die with you! She took the sheepskinner's knife from her bosom, and he caught a glance of it. Not that, Sr. Rita! he cried. I have given you my heart, Sr., either we live together or we die together. End of chapter. Chapter 37 of The Mark of Zorro This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. The Mark of Zorro By Johnston McCully Chapter 37 The Fox at Bay He darted to the window and glanced out. The troopers were surrounding the building. He could see the governor stalking across the plaza, crying his orders. Down the San Gabriel trail came the proud Don Alejandro Vega to pay his visit to the governor, and he stopped at the plaza's edge and began questioning men regarding the cause for the tumult. All are in at the death! Sr. Zorro said, laughing, I wonder where my brave Caballeros are, those who rode with me. You expect their aid? She asked. Not so, Sr. Rita! They would have to stand together and face the governor, tell him their intentions. It was a lark with them, and I doubt whether they take it seriously enough to stand by me now. It is not to be expected. I fight it out alone. Not alone, Sr., when I am by your side. He clasped her in his arms, pressed her to him. I would, we might have our chance, he said. But it would be folly for you to let my disaster influence your life. You never have seen my face even, Sr. Rita. You could forget me. You could walk from this place and surrender, send word to Don Diego Vega that you will become his bride, and the governor then would be forced to release you, and clear your parents of all blame. Ah, Sr., think, Sr. Rita, think what it would mean. His Excellency would not dare stand an instant against a Vega. Your parents would have their lands restored. You would be the bride of the richest young man in the country. You would have everything to make you happy. Everything except love, Sr., and without love the rest is as not. Think, Sr. Rita, and decide for once and all. You have but a moment now. I made my decision long ago, Sr. A Pulido loves but once, and does not wed where she cannot love. Kara, he cried, and pressed her close again. Now there came a battering at the door. Sr. Zaro, Sergeant Gonzales cried. Well, Sr., Zaro asked. I have an offer for you from His Excellency the Governor. I am listening, Loud One. His Excellency has no wish to cause your death or injury to the Sr. Rita you have inside with you. He asked that you open the door and come out with the lady. To what end, Sr. Zaro asked. You shall be given a fair trial and the Sr. Rita also. Thus you may escape death and receive imprisonment instead. Ha! I have seen samples of His Excellency's fair trials. Sr. Zaro responded. Think you, I am an imbecile. His Excellency bids me say that this is the last chance that the offer will not be renewed. His Excellency is wise not to waste breath renewing it. He grows fat and his breath is short. What can you expect to gain by resistance? Save death! Gonzales asked. How can you hope to off-stand a scorer and a half of us? It has been done before, Loud One. We can batter in the door and take you. After a few of you have been stretched lifeless on the floor, Sr. Zaro observed. You will be the first through the door, my Sergeant. For the last time! Come in and drink a mug of wine with me, said the High-Women, laughing. Meal-mush and goat's milk, swore Sergeant Gonzales. There was quiet then, for a time, and Sr. Zaro glancing through the window cautiously, so as not to attract a pistol shot, observed that the Governor was in consultation with the Sergeant and certain of the Troopers. The consultation ended, and Sr. Zaro darted back from the window. Almost immediately the attack upon the door began. They were pounding at it with heavy timbers, trying to smash it down. Sr. Zaro, standing in the middle of the room, pointed his pistol at the door and fired, and as the ball tore through the wood and somebody outside gave a shriek of pain, he darted to the table and started loading the pistol again. Then he hurried across to the door and observed the hole where the bullet had gone through. The plank had been split, and there was quite a crack in it. Sr. Zaro put the point of his blade at this crack and waited. Again the heavy timber crashed against the door, and some trooper threw his weight against it also. Sr. Zaro's blade darted through the crack like a streak of lightning and came back red, and again there was a shriek outside, and now a volley of pistol balls came through the door, but Sr. Zaro, laughing, had sprung back out of harm's way. Well done, Sr. Sr. Ita Lolita cried. We shall stamp our mark on several of these hounds before we are done, he replied. I would that I could aid you, Sr. You are doing it, Sr. Ita. It is your love that gives me my strength. If I could use a blade. Ah, Sr. Ita, that is for a man to do. Do you pray that all may be well? And at the last, Sr., if it is seen that there is no hope, may I then see your dear face? I swear it, Sr. Ita, and feel my arms about you, and my lips on yours. Death will not be so bitter then. The attack on the door was renewed. Now pistol shots were coming through it regularly, and through the one open window also. And there was nothing for Sr. Zoro to do except stand in the middle of the room and wait. His blade held ready. There would be a lively few minutes, he promised, when the door was down and they rushed in at him. It seemed to be giving way now. The Sr. Ita crept close to him, tears streaming down her cheeks, and grasped him by the arm. You will not forget? She asked. I'll not forget, Sr. Ita. Just before they break down the door, Sr., take me in your arms and let me see your dear face, and kiss me. Then I can die with good grace too. You must live. Not to be sent to a foul carcel, Sr. And what would life be without you? There is Don Diego. I can think of nobody but you, Sr. A palito will know how to die, and perhaps my death will bring home to men the perfidy of the governor. Perhaps it may be of service. Again the heavy timbers truck against the door. They could hear his excellently shouting encouragement to the troopers, could hear the natives shrieking, and Sergeant Gonzalez crying his orders in his loud voice. Sr. Zorro hurried to the window again, chancing a bullet, and glanced out. He saw that half a dozen troopers had their blades ready, were prepared to rush over the door the moment it was down. They would get him, but he would get some of them first. Again the ram against the door. It is almost the end, Sr. The girl whispered, I know it, Sr. Ita. I would we had had better fortune, yet I can die gladly since this love has been in my life. Now, Sr., your face and lips, the door is crashing in. She ceased to sob and lifted her face bravely. Sr. Zorro sighed, and one hand fumbled with the bottom of his mask. But suddenly there was a tumult outside in the plaza, and the battering of the door ceased, and they could hear loud voices that they had not heard before. Sr. Zorro let go of his mask and darted to the window. End of chapter. Chapter 38 of The Mark of Zorro This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCully Chapter 38 The Man Unmasked Twenty-three horsemen were galloping into the plaza. The beasts they rode were magnificent. Their saddles and bridles were heavily chased with silver. Their cloaks were of the finest materials, and they wore hats with plumes as if this was somewhat of a dress affair, and they wished the world to know it. Each man sat straight and proud in his saddle, his blade at his side, and every blade had a jeweled hilt, being at once serviceable and a rich ornament. They galloped along the face of the tavern, between the door and the soldiers who had been battering it, between the building and the governor, and assembled citizens, and there they turned and stood their horses side by side, facing his Excellency. Wait, there is a better way, their leader cried. Ha! screeched the governor. I understand. Here we have the young men of all the noble families in the Southland. They have come to show their loyalty by taking this curse of Capistrano. I thank you, Caballeros. Yet it is not my wish to have any of you slain by this fellow. He is not worthy of your blades, senores. Do you ride to one side and lend the strength of your presence, and let my troopers deal with rogue? Again, I thank you for the show of loyalty, for this demonstration that you stand for law and order in all it means, for constituted authority, peace, their leader cried. Your Excellency, we represent power in this section, do we not? You do, Caballeros, the governor said. Our families say who shall rule? What laws shall be termed just, do they not? They have great influence, the governor said. You would not care to stand alone against us? Most assuredly not, his Excellency cried. But I pray you let the troopers get this fellow. It is not seemly that a Caballero should suffer a wound or death from his blade. It is to be regretted that you do not understand. Understand? queried the governor in a questioning tone, glancing up and down the line of mounted men. We have taken counsel with ourselves, Excellency. We know our strength and power, and we have decided upon certain things. There have been things done that we cannot countenance. The frailies of the missions have been despoiled by officials. Natives have been treated worse than dogs. Even men of noble blood have been robbed, because they have not been friendly to the ruling powers. Caballero! Peace, Excellency, until I have done. This thing came to a crisis when a Hidalgo and his wife and daughter were thrown into a car-cell by your orders. Such a thing cannot be countenanced, Excellency. And so we have banded ourselves together, and here we take a hand. Be it known that we ourselves rode with this senior Zorro when he invaded the car-cell and rescued the prisoners, that we carried Don Carlos and the Doña Catalina to places of safety, and that we have pledged our words and honors and blades, that they may not be persecuted more. I would say, silence, until I have done. We stand together, and the strength of our united families is behind us. Call upon your soldiers to attack us, if you dare. Every man of noble blood up and down the length of El Camino Real would flock to our defense, would unseat you from your office, would see you humbled. We await your answer, Excellency. What, what would you, His Excellency, gasped? First, proper consideration for Don Carlos Pulido and his family. No car-cell for them. If you have the courage to try them for treason, be sure that we will be on hand at the trial, and deal with any man who gives perjured testimony, and with any magistrado who does not conduct himself properly. We are determined, Excellency. Perhaps I was hasty in the matter, but I was led to believe certain things, the Governor said. I grant you your wish. One side now, Caballeros, where my men get at this rogue in the tavern. We are not done, their leader said. We have things to say regarding this Senior Zorro. What has he done, actually, Excellency? Is he guilty of any treason? He has robbed no man except those who robbed the defenseless first. He has whipped a few unjust persons. He has taken sides with the persecuted, for which we honor him. To do such a thing he took his life in his own hands. He successfully evaded your soldiers. He resented insults as any man has the right to do. What would you? A complete pardon, here and now, for this man known as Senior Zorro. Never, the Governor cried. He has affronted me personally. He shall die the death. He turned around and saw Don Alejandro Vega standing near him. Don Alejandro, you are the most influential man in this South country, he said. You are the one man against whom even the Governor dare not stand. You are a man of justice. Tell these young Caballeros that what they wish cannot be granted. Bid them return to their homes, and this show of treason will be forgotten. I stand behind them, Don Alejandro thundered. You, you stand behind them. I do, Your Excellency. I echo every word they have spoken in your presence. Persecution must cease. Grant their requests. See that your officials do right hereafter. Return to San Francisco do I cease, and I take my oath that there shall be no treason in this Southland. I shall see to it myself. But oppose them, Excellency, and I shall take sides against you. See you driven from office and ruined and your foul parasites with you. These terrible, willful Southland, the Governor cried. Your answer, Don Alejandro demanded. I can't do nothing but agree, the Governor said. But there is one thing. Well? I spare the man's life if he surrenders, but he must stand trial for the murder of Captain Ramon. Murder, queried the leader of the Caballeros, it was a duel between gentlemen, Excellency. Señor Zorro resented an insult on the part of the Commandante to the Señorita. Ha! But Ramon was a Caballero. And so is the Señor Zorro. He told us as much, and we believe him, for there was no falsehood in his voice. So it was a duel, Excellency, and between gentlemen, according to the code. And Captain Ramon was unfortunate that he was not a better man with a blade. That is understood. Your answer. I agree, the Governor said weekly. I pardon him, and I go home to San Francisco de Assis, and persecution ceases in this locality. But I hold Don Alejandro to his promise that there will be no treason against me here if I do these things. I have given my word, Don Alejandro said. The Caballeros shrieked their happiness and dismounted. They drove the soldiers away from the door, Sergeant Gonzalez growling into his mustache because here was a reward gone glimmering again. Within there, Señor Zorro, one cried, Have you heard? I have heard, Caballero. Open the door and come out amongst us, a free man! There was a moment's hesitation, and then the battered door was unbarred and opened, and Señor Zorro stepped out with the Señorita on his arm. He stopped just in front of the door, removed his sombrero, and bowed low before them. A good day to you, Caballeros, he cried. Sergeant, I regret that you have missed the reward, but I shall see that the amount is placed to the credit of you and your men with the landlord of the tavern. Pay the saints! He is a Caballero! Gonzalez cried. Unmask, man! cried the governor. I would see the features of the person who has fooled my troopers, has gained Caballeros to his banner and has forced me to make a compromise. I fear that you will be disappointed when you see my four features, Señor Zorro replied. Do you expect me to look like Satan? Or can it be possible, on the other hand, that you believe I have an angelic countenance? He chuckled, glanced down at the Señorita Lolita, and then put up a hand and tore off his mask. A chorus of gasps answered the motion, an explosive oath or two from the soldiers, cries of delight from the Caballeros, and a screech of mingled pride and joy from one old Hidalgo. Don Diego, my son, my son! And the man before them seemed to droop suddenly in the shoulders and side, and spoke in a languid voice. These be turbulent times! Can a man never meditate on music and the poets? And Don Diego Vega, the curse of Capistrano, was clasped for a moment in his father's arms. End of chapter. Chapter 39 The Final Chapter of The Mark of Zorro This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. The Mark of Zorro. By Johnston McCully. Chapter 39 Milmush and Goat's Milk They crowded forward, troopers, natives, Caballeros, surrounding Don Diego Vega and the Señorita who clutched at his arm and looked up at him from proud and glistening eyes. Explain! Explain! they cried. It began ten years ago when I was but a lad of fifteen. He said, I heard tales of persecution. I saw my friends, the Freiles, annoyed and robbed. I saw soldiers beat an old native who was my friend, and then I determined to play this game. It would be a difficult game to play, I knew. So I pretended to have small interest in life, so that men never would connect my name with that of the Highwomen I expected to become. In secret, I practised horsemanship and learned how to handle a blade. By the Saints, he did! Sergeant Gonzalez growled. One half of me was the languid Don Diego you all knew, and the other half was the curse of Capistrano I hoped one day to be. And then the time came and my work began. It is a peculiar thing to explain, senores. The moment I donned a cloak and mask, the Don Diego part of me fell away. My body straightened. New blood seemed to course through my veins. My voice grew strong and firm. Fire came to me! And the moment I removed cloak and mask, I was the languid Don Diego again. Is it not a peculiar thing? I had made friends with this great sergeant Gonzalez and for a purpose. Ha! I guessed the purpose, Caballeros! Gonzalez cried. You tired whenever this senior Zorro was mentioned, and did not wish to hear a violence in bloodshed, but always you asked me in what direction I was going with my troopers, and you went in the other direction and did your confounded work. You are an excellent guesser, said Don Diego, laughing, as did the others about him. I even crossed blades with you so that you would not guess I was Senior Zorro. You remember the rainy night at the tavern. I listened to your boasts, went out and donned mask and cloak, came in and fought you, escaped, took off mask and cloak, and returned to jest with you. Ha! I visited the Pulido Hacienda as Don Diego, and a short time later returned as Senior Zorro and held speech with the Seniorita here. You almost had me, Sergeant, that night if Freyfully pays, the first night, I mean. Ha! You told me there that you had not seen Senior Zorro. Nor had I. The Frey does not keep a mirror, thinking that it makes for vanity. The other things were not difficult, of course. You can easily imagine how, as Senior Zorro, I happened to be at my own house in town when the Comandante insulted the Seniorita. And the Seniorita must forgive me the deception. I courted her as Don Diego, and she would have none of me. Then I tried it as Senior Zorro, and the saints were kind, and she gave me her love. Perhaps there was some method in that also, for she turned from the wealth of Don Diego Vega to the man she loved, though she deemed him then an outcast and outlaw. She has showed me her true heart, and I am rejoiced at it. Your Excellency, this Seniorita is to become my wife, and I take it you will think twice before you will annoy her family further. His Excellency threw out his hands in a gesture of resignation. It was difficult to fool you all, but it has been done. Don Diego continued, Only years of practice allowed me to accomplish it, and now Senior Zorro shall ride no more, for there will be no need, and moreover a married man should take some care of his life. And what man do I wed, the Seniorita Lolita asked, blushing because she spoke the words where all could hear. What man do you love? I had fancied that I loved Senior Zorro, but he comes to me now that I love the both of them, she said. Is it not shameless? But I would rather have you Senior Zorro than the old Don Diego I knew. We shall endeavour to establish a golden mean, he replied, laughing again. I shall drop the old languid ways and change gradually into the man you would have me. People will say that marriage made a man of me. He stooped and kissed her there before them all. Meal, mushing, goat's milk! swore Sergeant Gonzales. This is the end of chapter, end of book. Thank you for listening.