Page:The Baron of Diamond Tail (1923).pdf/271



HEY'VE stopped him, they've killed him on the road!" said Alma, still on her knees beside her bed.

"Oh, Holy Mary! Oh, sweet Virgin Mary!" said Teresa, clasping her hands in agony.

"He would have been here by this time, Teresa—more than half an hour since Manuel got there. They've killed him, Teresa!"

"Oh, sweet Virgin Mary! Oh, Holy Mother of God!" Teresa implored, her clasped hands lifted, her stricken face upturned.

Outside the ruffians were beginning to clamor and curse, and beat on the windows in their impatience to have the thing over and their vigil done. They shouted ribald suggestions through the kitchen door, humorously proposing to come in and help dress the bride. Presently the two trembling women heard a deputation enter by way of the kitchen, and stamp noisily into the library, whither Nearing and the unwelcome guests his galloping fate had thrust upon him had retired to wait the little while Findlay had granted the bride.

Teresa put out the light in the room and went to the door to listen. Alma could hear them cursing, insubordinate wretches that they were even under Findlay's hard, quick-shooting hand. They were willing to go any reasonable length for a friend, they said, but