"That won't be yet, I'm afraid," remarked Jack, "but no doubt José has it safe enough. By the way, where is he?"
"I wish I knew," said Juanita anxiously. "Nothing has been heard of him since the great sortie of Captain Mariano Galindo about ten days ago. He volunteered among the brave two hundred, and was one of the first to spike the French guns. But he never came back."
"Poor fellow!" said Jack. "I'm very sorry. We used to be great chums. There aren't many like him. You will miss him sadly."
"Yes, indeed; and I wouldn't mind about the property if only he were safe."
"But surely his disappearance doesn't affect the property?"
"Well, you see, nobody else knows where it is. Father didn't tell me. He thought there would be less risk of harm if I knew nothing about it."
"But he would be sure to provide against José's death. Ah!" he exclaimed, as a sudden light dawned, "that explains it. I had a letter from him in Salamanca, telling me about another letter left with General Palafox. No doubt everything was explained in that."
"The letter has disappeared--was stolen, mistaken for plans of the city. But there's still a chance left. A third letter was sent to my father. We must hope it was a duplicate of the lost one."
"Oh dear!" sighed Juanita, "to think that so many people should be troubled with poor little me!"
"We seem to have rather muddled things among us," said Jack. "But I see now what Mig Prig is aiming at. Have you heard that he is back in Saragossa?"
"Miguel back!" exclaimed Juanita; in her tone there was a hint of uneasiness. "Oh, I do hope I shall not meet him! But I won't think of him."
"He's not worth it.--I was almost forgetting. I have brought some of your trinkets from the Casa Ximenez. Will you--"
"Hark!" exclaimed Juanita, holding up her hand. There was a loud crash as of falling masonry.
"They are bombarding again," said Jack, rising. "I must hasten to my post. Good-bye, Juanita!"
"You will come and see us again when you have time?"
They both looked sympathetically at the huddled figure of Doña Teresa, who had fallen asleep in her chair.
"Poor Auntie!" said Juanita. Then, as Jack turned towards the door, she folded her mantilla about her head and dropped a low curtsy, saying demurely: "Adios, Señor!"