Nevertheless, he laid his hand on the
old man's arm, and, looking him calmly in the eye, said, quietly,
"Come? Where, Pereo? I have only just arrived."
"I know it," whispered the old man, nodding his head violently. "I
was watching them, when you rode up. That is why I lost the scent;
but together we can track them still--we can track them. Eh,
Captain, eh! Come! Come!" and he moved slowly backward, waving
his hand towards the door.
"Track whom, Pereo?" said Carroll, soothingly. "Whom do you seek?"
"Whom?" said the old man, startled for a moment and passing his
hand over his wrinkled forehead. "Whom? Eh! Why, the Dona Maruja
and the little black cat--her maid--Faquita!"
"Yes, but why seek them? Why track them?"
"Why?" said the old man, with a sudden burst of impotent passion.
"YOU ask me why! Because they are going to the rendezvous again.
They are going to seek him. Do you understand--to seek HIM--the
Coyote!"
Carroll smiled a faint smile of relief--"So--the Coyote!"
"Ay," said the old man, in a confidential whisper; "the Coyote!
But not the big one--you understand--the little one. The big one
is dead--dead--dead! But the little one lives yet. You shall do
for HIM what I, Pereo--listen--" he glanced around the room
furtively--"what I--the good old Pereo, did for the big one! Good,
it is a Providence. Come!"
Of the terrible thoughts that crossed Carroll's mind at this
unexpected climax one alone was uppermost.
Pages:
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157