Page:The Road to Monterey (1925).pdf/255

 betrayal so lately. The house to which Felipe was supposed to have gone displayed no light; there was not so much as the bark of a dog to break the straining pitch of Henderson's expectation as he subdued his breath to listen.

Felipe had not gone to betray him to the authorities. Henderson abased himself in his own conscience for harboring such a suspicion when he heard his little friend returning with cautious tread. It seemed that he had been gone long enough to gather not only the history of one day, but of all the years since the founding of the pueblo.

"Here is an unexpected thing!"

These were Felipe's words as he came up in high excitement. He touched Henderson's arm, as if to calm him for the revelation he was about to make.

"What have you found out, Felipe?" Henderson inquired, far steadier in voice and pulse than his friend.

"There has been a disagreement already between the governor and his new general, and the general, determined to have his way, has suspended the civil law."

"You mean the town is under martial law, Felipe?"

"That is it. Here is a difficulty, a great difficulty, unforeseen."

"What have they done with Helena Sprague?"

Henderson's voice was not so steady when he asked this, the first and greatest thing in the hearts