"Do I wish to see you taken here? Do I wish to see fighting and bloodshed?" she asked.
"I am loath to rush away from such a charming presence, _señorita_. May I come again at the next _siesta_ hour?"
"By the saints--no! This must end, Señor Zorro! Go your way--and take care! You have done some things that I admire, hence I would not see you captured. Go north, as far as San Francisco de Asis, and turn honest, _señor_. It is the better way."
"But your father has gone to fetch food for me. And could I depart without thanking him for this meal?"
Don Carlos came back into the room then, and Señor Zorro knew by the expression on his face that the soldiers were coming up the trail. The don put a package on the table.
"Some food to carry with you, _señor_," he said. "And we would relish more of your reminiscences before you start on your perilous journey."
"I have spoken too much of myself already, _señor_, and it ill becomes a _caballero_ to do that. It were better that I thank you and leave you now."
"At least, _señor_, drink another mug of wine."
"I fear," said Señor Zorro, "that the soldiers are much too close, Don Carlos."
The face of the don went white at that, for the highwayman was picking up his pistol, and Don Carlos feared he was about to pay the price for his treacherous hospitality. But Señor Zorro made no move to fire.
"I forgive you this breach of hospitality, Don Carlos, because I am an outlaw and there has been a price put upon my head," he said. "And, also, I hold you no ill will because of it. _Buenas noches, señorita! Señor, á Dios!_"
Then a terrified servant who knew little concerning the events of the evening rushed in at the door.
"Master! The soldiers are here!" he cried. "They are surrounding the house!"
On the table, near its middle, was an imposing _candelero_ in which half a score of candles burned brightly. Señor Zorro sprang toward it now, and with one sweep of his hand dashed it to the floor, extinguishing all the candles in an instant and plunging the room in darkness.
He evaded the wild rush of Don Carlos, springing across the room so lightly that his soft boots made not the slightest noise to give news of his whereabouts. For an instant the Señorita Lolita felt a man's arm around her waist, gently squeezing it, felt a man's breath on her cheek, and heard a man's whisper in her ear: