Still, in the present
case, I did not see that the girl could have expected that Rube
would be there unless the rest of us were near at hand, and I did
not attempt to oppose Rube's wishes."
"So next morning off we started, and by ten o'clock we rode up to
the door of the place which Rube said answered to the description
Pepita had given him. It was a pretty place, with trees round it,
and might have been the residence of a small proprietor such as
Pepita had described her father to be. As we rode up to the door it
opened, and I saw at once that Rube were right, for a dark-eyed
Mexican girl came out and looked at us inquiringly.
"'What can I do for you, senors?' she asked.
"'Don't you remember me, Donna Pepita?' Rube said, laughing, as he
lifted the sombrero which had shaded his face.
"The girl started violently. 'Ah, Signor Americano, is it you? I
might have known, indeed,' she said, smiling, 'by your size, even
wrapped up. This, of course, is Signor Seth--you are always
together. But come in,' she said.
"'Who have you got inside, Donna Pepita?' Rube asked. 'I know that
I can trust you, but I can't trust others, and I don't want it
known I am here.'
"'The house is empty,' Pepita said. 'My father is out. There is
only old Jacinta at home.
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