But by that time she was already crossing the
upper end of the lawn, hurrying towards the entrance to the patio.
Carroll did not hesitate to follow. Keeping in view the lithe,
dark, active little figure, now hidden by an intervening cluster of
bushes, now fading in the gathering evening shadows, he
nevertheless did not succeed in gaining upon her until she had
nearly reached the patio. Here he lost ground, as turning to the
right, instead of entering the court-yard, she kept her way toward
the stables. He was near enough, however, to speak. "One moment,
Miss Saltonstall," he said hurriedly; "there is no danger. I am
alone. But I must speak with you."
The young girl seemed only to redouble her exertions. At last she
stopped before a narrow door hidden in the wall, and fumbled in her
pocket for a key. That moment Carroll was upon her.
"Forgive me, Miss Saltonstall--Maruja; but you must hear me! You
are safe, but I fear for your maid, Faquita!"
A little laugh followed his speech; the door yielded and opened to
her vanishing figure. For an instant the lace shawl muffling her
face was lifted, as the door closed and locked behind her. Carroll
drew back in consternation. It was the laughing eyes and saucy
face of Faquita!
CHAPTER XII
When Captain Carroll turned from the high-road into the lane, an
hour before, Maruja and Faquita had already left the house by the
same secret passage and garden-door that opened afterwards upon
himself and Pereo.
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