Following his guide in the profound obscurity, perfectly conscious
that any change in his madness might be followed by a struggle in
the dark, where no help could reach them, they presently came to a
door that opened upon the fresh smell of rain and leaves. They
were standing at the bottom of a secluded alley, between two high
hedges that hid it from the end of the garden. Its grass-grown
walk and untrimmed hedges showed that it was seldom used. Carroll,
still keeping close to Pereo's side, felt him suddenly stop and
tremble. "Look!" he said, pointing to a shadowy figure some
distance before them; "look, 'tis Maruja, and alone!"
With a dexterous movement, Carroll managed to slip his arm securely
through the old man's, and even to throw himself before him, as if
in his eagerness to discern the figure.
"'Tis Maruja--and alone!" said Pereo, trembling. "Alone! Eh! And
the Coyote is not here!" He passed his hand over his staring eyes.
"So." Suddenly he turned upon Carroll. "Ah, do you not see, it is
a trick! The Coyote is escaping with Faquita! Come! Nay; thou
wilt not? Then will I!" With an unexpected strength born of his
madness, he freed his arm from Carroll and darted down the alley.
The figure of Maruja, evidently alarmed at his approach, glided
into the hedge, as Pereo passed swiftly by, intent only on his one
wild fancy. Without a further thought of his companion or even the
luckless Faquita, Carroll also plunged through the hedge, to
intercept Maruja.
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