Page:The Road to Monterey (1925).pdf/204

 and she would go free. Simple; yes. My little Josefa heard it all."

"Very simple," said Henderson. "And because the governor has no proof against her, Don Abrahan defies him."

"That is the great joke of the whole thing," said Simon, with keen relish in telling it, although to one who was the same as dead. "Last night somebody entered the patron's office and stole this evidence. The governor declares a patriot delivered it to him. I'd like to have been that patriot! I'll bet he got a hatful of gold."

"But Don Abrahan defied him, in spite of the paper?" Henderson was grateful to Don Abrahan for once, and genuine in his admiration of his courage, though self-interest had moved the patron to this defense.

"You could hear him roar as loud as a jackass. The heart of every man on the ranch stood still to hear Don Abrahan roar, and the pale governor threatened to send soldiers and burn down the mansion. And so the governor went back to the pueblo to get his soldiers, and Don Abrahan went after him to stop them. It is known that Don Abrahan holds his hand over General Verdugo like a little chick. No, Gabriel, the soldiers will not come."

"Who was the patriot that stole the paper? Who would know about it?" Henderson wondered.

There was something in Simon's face when he