Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/294

 word of yonder man of God, by whom we were wedded not an hour ago!"

Captain Huerta glowers upon the priest. "Speaks the Americano truly?" he fumes.

Father Hilario is silent. His eyes wander from the lovers to the rage-distorted countenance of the Spanish captain.

Ashley holds his breath. He has made a superb bluff. Will the priest fail him at this supreme moment?

"Speak, vile dog of a priest!" snarls Huerta, the padre's silence adding fuel to his rage.

At the brutal epithet Father Hilario's cheek flushes. Then he speaks, slowly and deliberately:

"It is true. They are man and wife in the sight of God, and around them are the protecting arms of the church of Rome." He raises his arms as if pronouncing a benediction, and murmurs under his breath a pious: "May God forgive me the deception!"

Captain Huerta bites his lip till the blood comes. One word to his men would mean the destruction of the heroic trio. But over the shining barrel of Ashley's revolver, pointed straight at his heart, the Spanish captain reads, in a pair of flashing eyes, a grim resolution that means his death if he but raises his sword.

The situation is critical. The strain is beginning to tell on even Ashley's steel nerves.

At this moment a commotion is noted in the throng of soldiery that bars the entrance to the church.

Pushing them right and left, a tall, distinguished-looking military man strides into the sanctuary.

Don Huerta dashes his sword back into its sheath and sullenly awaits developments.

General Murillo, for the arrival is he, glances from one of the party to the other, and then addresses himself to Ashley:

"Senor, may I ask the meaning of this warlike demonstration?"

Ashley lowers his revolver. "It means, general, that your arrival has averted an international episode."