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           AndthevoiceoftheresourcefulCapatazdeCargadores,masterandslaveoftheSanTometreasure,whohadbeencaughtunawaresbyoldGiorgiowhilestealingacrosstheopentowardstheravinetogetsomemoresilver,answeredcarelessandcool,butsoundingstartlinglyweakfromtheground.

           “ItseemedasthoughIcouldnotlivethroughthenightwithoutseeingtheeoncemore—mystar,mylittleflower.”

           *****

           Thebrillianttertuliawasjustover,thelastguestshaddeparted,andtheSenorAdministradorhadgonetohisroomalready,whenDr.Monygham,whohadbeenexpectedintheeveningbuthadnotturnedup,arriveddrivingalongthewood-blockpavementundertheelectric-lampsofthedesertedCalledelaConstitucion,andfoundthegreatgatewayoftheCasastillopen.

           Helimpedin,stumpedupthestairs,andfoundthefatandsleekBasilioonthepointofturningoffthelightsinthesala.Theprosperousmajordomoremainedopen-mouthedatthislateinvasion.

           “Don’tputoutthelights,”commandedthedoctor.“Iwanttoseethesenora.”

           “ThesenoraisintheSenorAdminstrador’scancillaria,”saidBasilio,inanunctuousvoice.“TheSenorAdministradorstartsforthemountaininanhour.Thereissometroublewiththeworkmentobefeared,itappears.Ashamelesspeoplewithoutreasonanddecency.Andidle,senor.Idle.