Dolores scuffled out, still gabbling unintelligibly in Spanish, but

reappeared almost at once with a jug of hot water. She stood watching

Myra with mingled curiosity and admiration as her fair charge washed

after leisurely undressing, then put on her chic night-dress and

dressing-gown, and a filmy, attractive boudoir cap.

"Señor Cojuelo said something about refreshments," said Myra, hoping

she would make Mother Dolores understand, and trying to remember some

of the Spanish words she had learned. "I should like a cup of

coffee--café--or a glass of vino, and a cigarette--cigarillo.

Entender?"

"Si, si, señorita," answered Dolores. "Café, vino, aguardiene,

cigarillo, Todo pronto."

She opened the door and made signals to Myra that she wished her to

return with her to the outer apartment, at the same time letting loose

another torrent of words.

"Perhaps meals in bed-rooms are charged extra!" Myra remarked, and

laughed at the idea.

She was conscious of no sensation of actual fear, but she was curious

and apprehensive as to how El Diablo Cojuelo would behave, remembering

his reputation and his hint that he might fall in love with her and

refuse to surrender her no matter how great the ransom offered.

Still smiling, Myra slid her bare feet into her bedroom slippers and

accompanied Mother Dolores back through the maze of crooked, rocky

passages to the outer apartment.

"Comer e heber e fumar, señorita," said Dolores, indicating a tray set

on a stool close by the electric heater. On the tray stood a steaming

jug of coffee, a flagon of cognac, a plate of biscuits, a cup and

saucer, and a silver cigarette-box.

"More magic!" commented Myra, as Dolores set a chair for her and poured

out a glass of cognac which she insisted upon Myra drinking at once.

Then she poured out coffee, gabbled something about the "bueno

maestro," and withdrew.

Left alone, Myra sipped the fragrant coffee and looked about her with

interest.

"This is certainly brigandage up to date!" she reflected. "I wonder

what manner of man El Diablo Cojuelo is?"

A minute or two later she heard a movement behind her and glanced over

her shoulder expecting to see Mother Dolores, but saw instead the

hooded figure of El Diablo Cojuelo. Instinctively, she drew her silken

dressing-gown closer around her and started to her feet.

"I am sorry if I startled you, señorita," said Cojuelo. "It is a

delightful surprise to find you like this."




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