No smoke without fire
"Oh, it is so romantic!" exclaimed dreamily Carmelita, Barcelo's niece, closing her eyes with delighted smile.
"Romantic?" asked sharply her uncle.
We were sitting in our hacienda, eating dinner, and of course talking about Zorro. It is the only subject that interests our capitán, although now he seemed surprised by the direction of the conversation.
"Yes.. The lonely rider in the night... Dashing and chivalrous... and..."
"He is the bandit. The renegade. The traitor," Capitán Barcelo cut her off.
"From what I've heard, he only protects the weaker and harmed. That's what all the people in the pueblo say! They all love him!" Carmelita defended herself a little abashed.
"I am afraid your charming niece is right, Capitán," said my father with a smile. "Citizens of Los Angeles have much respect for the Fox. They won't be eager to cooperate with you."
"I have already noticed it," sighed heavily Barcelo. Announcing the aim of his mission didn't bring him much popularity in the pueblo.
Young Carmelita however, unmoved by her uncle's troubles, returned to her day-dreaming:
"Oh, how I would like to meet him one day!..."
Rosa put her glass away a bit too loud whereas Capitán Barcelo pierced his niece with menacing eyes, but she didn't notice it and asks curiously:
"Tell me, does he have a novia?"
Suddenly, the anger of Capitán Barcelo faded and on his place appeared calculation:
"That is the thought! If he courts a girl, we could use her to lead us to him... A young, dashing man must have here some ladylove..."
My body tensed, just as before the fight. The smallest thought of drawing Rosa under the clouds that hang over me...
"We have never heard about something like this," I said cautiously.
"Oh, no, Don Diego, he had a romance once, in Monterey, don't you remember?" exclaimed Sergeant Garcia, who was sitting quietly the whole evening, feeling uncomfortably as usual in the company of Capitán Barcelo. This time it was me who invited the sergeant – just to gently remind our noble capitán, that Garcia is also a welcomed guest in the hacienda and my friend. I think that the sergeant didn't understand half of the ironic remarks that Barcelo directed under his address, but the other half was enough to faze him out. So, I invited the Sergeant to hearten my old friend a little. Now I regretted it.
"Really?" asked eagerly Capitán Barcelo and Carmelita holded her breath with excitement.
"Yes, with Senorita Verdugo, the loveliest lady in the town. He was so smitten with her! The whole Monterey spoke about it!"
For the first time in my life I cursed Sergeant Garcia for being such a prattler.
How easy for him to drool this nonsense! He will say goodbye and leave – while I will have to stay and deal with my sweet lady...
My father must have felt some compassion toward me, as he tried to smooth the story:
"Really, Sergeant, I think you are exaggerating a little. The whole affair wasn't so..."
"But I know what I am talking about, Don Alejandro! I was there! I saw them with my own eyes! I even saw them kiss once! Oh, it was indeed so romantic, Senorita," he turned to Carmelita with slobbery expression.
I could skin him alive. I wonder how romantic he would find that.
My father threw me a half curious, half scandalized look and his expression clearly showed that he was not going to try to help me anymore. You have led yourself into this, young man, so now you have to deal with it – I almost could hear him saying.
I did not dare to look at Rosa's face, but I could see that she was ordering the cutlery near her plate with great involvement. Especially the knives.
I vengefully promised not to drink with Sergeant Garcia for the next month. Or maybe even two.
"So, how did it finish?" asked impatiently Barcelo.
"Oh, well..." the sergeant saddened, "It just finished. They stopped seeing each other for some reason."
"But why?" exclaimed Carmelita with disappointment. I guess that she was hoping for some more... romantic ending: wedding and happiness ever after...
"Maybe he is very ugly under that mask," Rosa shrugged lukewarmly her shoulders, but I saw vengeful sparks in her eyes.
"I am sure that he is not!" sobbed Carmelita like a little child deprived of a toy. "I am sure that he is the most..."
Rosa looked absently around, as if searching for something to quiet the perisher fly.
It was the highest time to take control over the conversation, before Barcelo explodes or that fool sergeant reminds himself of some other stupid story...
"However he may look, we cannot see it now, and I suppose that we will not have the chance to discover it until the capitán catches him," I said bowing toward Barcelo with a smile. "As for now, we have other topics to discuss. For example, have you any idea what Magistrado Peraza is planning tomorrow?"
"Magistrado? What are you talking about, Don Diego?" asked Barcelo.
"The magistrado invited us for the meeting tomorrow at the pueblo," answered my father, "but he didn't reveal the subject of the meeting. Besides, he invited not only us, but all haciendados, who own major ranchos."
"Very intriguing," muttered the capitán, apparently not very interested in the subject. Only el Zorro has his undivided attention
The conversation then run smoothly from one topic to another, but my sweet lady was rather absent minded, which made me feel very unsure...
When our guests left, I returned to the sala full of worst premonitions. To my surprise, Rosa wasn't waiting for me with anything heavy or sharp in her hand, only calmly watching through the window.
"That little lamb, Carmelita," she finally said quietly, "she knows nothing, what does it mean to wait at night for the return of the lonely rider..."
I had no words for it. I only took her hand and kissed it. Rosa turnsed to me with a jaunty smile: "But one thing agrees: it is definitely very romantic."
And she cuddles herself in the armchair like a very satisfied cat.
What an unexpectedly peaceful end of the evening! With relief, I sat comfortably near her, poured myself some wine and closed my eyes, resting and half-dreaming. Home, quiet, my beloved lady in front of me... Who could ask for anything more?
Suddenly I heard a question, asked in an unsettlingly sweet voice:
"Now, Diego, please, tell me about Monterey... Tell me, what was the whole town talking about?..."
On the next day we arrived to the pueblo a bit too early, so I decided to pay a short visit to Sergeant Garcia – just to catch up with the latest news from the cuartel. My intuition was right, as I found him digging through the cuartel's archives.
"Capitán Barcelo demanded all the reports concerning el Zorro. These are hundreds of pages, Don Diego!" complained the poor sergeant, kneeling before the lowest shelf and arduously moving his big body in search for some volume.
Ha, finally. The reports.
"And how are you proceeding with the task, Sergeant?" I asked lightly.
"Oh, I am almost done, Don Diego!" he waved in the direction of the pile of documents lying on the desk. "I just need to find last few months... They must be somewhere here... They must..." he honed, fighting with the dusty folders.
"Would you mind if I scour them? I was always interested on what grounds Monastario built this ridiculous case against me, and since these documents are already at hand…"
"Oh, please, Don Diego! These were easy to find! El commandante always kept his archives in perfect order!"
On the contrary to Sergeant Garcia, as I see... I am not particularly happy with that fact. I took the documents, quickly searching for the oldest ones.
The reports were rather harmless – just presentation of the events, of course appropriately biased: to present Monastario as the devoted and brave commander and his victims – as mean traitors. Well, no surprises. There was nothing in their content that could be particularly dangerous for me. Yet, there were later Monastario's notes on the margins, and they clearly pointed in the direction of his suspicions; "de la Vega was there just before", "de la Vega appeared all of the sudden just after", "theoretically, de la Vega was there but no one recalled seeing him", "of course de la Vega wasn't there"...
And finally there was a bill of indictment that Monastario must have prepared just before my arrest. I quickly skimmed the regular lines of his elegant writing. It was just... terribly cogent.
To start with, the first appearance of el Zorro occurred just after Don Diego de la Vega's mysterious return form Spain. His first offenses always involved friends or servants of the de la Vega family... On more than one occasion we lost the trail of the Fox just near the de la Vega hacienda... El Zorro was provided with the information that could be acquired only by the member of the upstanding landowner's family... Don Diego de la Vega was absent during all the appearances of the Fox, even if on some occasions his presence would be not only natural, but also absolutely required, the key example being the trial of his own father... Don Diego de la Vega fought before my eyes like the most inapt swordsman, yet his opponent was unable to disarm him or hurt in any way..."
How long will I be haunted by that man? He probably sits now in some prison, or penal colony, and yet he still manages to cause me troubles... It was so naïve of me to hope that Capitán Barcelo will trifle those reports! Knowing his logic, his analytical abilities, when he reads it, I will need no less than a miracle to quash his suspicions. For a moment I thought about destroying at least the bill, but Sergeant Garcia already found it, laid it on the table... If some documents would mysteriously disappear after my visit, it would be like drawing big Z just in the middle of my temple.
A shadow of irritation must have appeared on my face, as the sergeant, all in dust and cobwebs, rose from behind the shelves and asked:
"So, what did he write? Something worried you, Don Diego?"
"Oh no, on the contrary. They are rather funny," I smiled as cheerfully as I can, though my mood was rather gloomy. Yet, there was nothing else to do than put the documents back, bid the farewell with the sergeant and head for the meeting with the magistrado.
The meeting was going to take place in the tavern, closed for other guests that morning. The magistardo must have prepared something special indeed, if he decided to hire the whole place for this occasion. The sala was already arranged, with only one long table in the middle. On the wall hung a big map of California and Magistrado Peraza paced nervously up and down in front of her, from time to time throwing glances at the unknown man with long beard sitting quietly in the corner.
When I entered the sala, most of the other haciendados were not present yet, so I took my place and waited. Damián Peraza threw me lothing glance – I knew that he didn't approve the fact that one of the honorable seats falls to the man of no merits, except from noble name and wealthy father. I do not blame him for his feelings. Partially, I even share them.
In spite of his nervousness, Magistrado Peraza looked very imposing today, wearing black suit and white tie. He usually wears black – to stress the solemnity of his office and, as I suspect, because he looks quite impressive in black, with his uncommonly fair eyes and hair, a bit longer than the today's fashion dictates. It crossed my mind, that in comparison to him I looked quite silly in a pink suit and bright scarf. I would prefer black too…
I smiled and for a moment fancied the idea of Magistrado Peraza being the Fox. He would do well – brave, skilled, determined. Isn't it an appealing concept? Righteous judge during the day and, for those who managed to escape the justice, implacable revenger during the night. Maybe I should seriously consider retirement? Of course he would be a much more serious Zorro than me. No stupid antics, no jokes with hanging the "Z" flag in the cuartel, no birthday songs for Sergeant Garcia, no pitch baths for the lancers...
My deliberations were interrupted by the arrival of Don Augustin Carillo.
"You have sentenced my vaquero to be flogged today, Magistrado," he said accusingly, but Damián only shrugged his shoulders.
"He accosted the girl, Annarita Montoya. It is a fair punishment."
"I know, but he did her nothing! Her brothers scared him away! And so you will make him unable to work for week at least."
"Had he raped her, he would be hanged," replied the magistrado obliviously.
"Just ask him to pay the fine, Magistrado," I said lightly. "It will be the worst punishment for him, not to be able to afford for the visits in the tavern for a few weeks. And there will always be a few more pesos for the office."
"Whatever you may think, Senor de la Vega," he turned on me his cold, blue eyes, "justice is not to be bought by money. He will be flogged today."
So, he will be. The vaquero deserves his punishment and I am not going to disturb it, even if I do not like when imposing the justice involves splitting the blood. As contrasted to Magistrado Peraza, as I see.
I imagine him as el Zorro again, and this time I see all the mortal thrusts I could give, yet didn't, as I do not consider myself the judge of life and death. If Damián Peraza were Zorro, many people who now live, would be dead. Maybe that is what they really deserved. I do not know. He thinks he does. So, let's better leave the Fox just as he is – with all the jokes, songs and laughter...
I was still deep in my thoughts, when all the guests arrived and the magistrado began to speak.
"Senores! I decided to invite today all the exquisite landowners in Los Angeles, to present to you an idea that may bring a new era to all of you, to Los Angeles and maybe even to all California."
I tensed. I do not like when someone speaks about the new era for California, it reminds me too much about the Eagle's times.
Magistrado Peraza gave the suitable introduction, referring several times to the "development" and "future benefits". He is usually very outspoken, but this time in his voice sounded uncommon engagement. I could feel that whatever he is driving at, it is very important to him. Finally he concluded:
"And the main obstacle for this land to flourish is water. Or rather – lack of it."
Water? That is the surprise! Certainly, he is right – but I really didn't expect our brave judge, our exquisite swordsman to speak about water!
The magistrado made a short break and, having concluded that he has the full attention of all astonished guests, he invited the bearded stranger to stand near him.
"Senores, I propose you the participation in the great undertaking, that may change this land and turn the desert into fertile garden. May I present you Professor Hernán Altamirano, famous geologist, who gave lectures at the best universities in Europe and now is going to apply his knowledge in praxis, for the benefits of our land."
Quiet rustles through the sala, when surprised Dons whispered among themselves. I was impressed by the reverend guest too, of course – but the skeptical imp in me murmured: What is the famous scientist doing in that small, dusty pueblo?
Damián Peraza moved back and Professor Altamirano started to speak:
"Senores, I can see that you all are men with many duties, so I will be speaking shortly, without wasting your time with unnecessary details. During my studies I managed to develop a new, revolutionary way of finding deep groundwater. I promise you to find new deposits on your lands that will secure more recourses than necessary for your cattle, crops and vineyards. The cost of the research is not low, but if you will cover it, you will be able to make dozens of wells on your lands, so that you will never have to be afraid of the drought again."
Quite short, indeed. Well, my time may be wasted with the details.
"That is a fascinating and very promising perspective, Professor," I said with the most polite smile. "Could you introduce us a little into your method?"
"That is quite complicated, but I will try, Senor. The main assumption is, that the position of deposit can be foreseen by the special marks of the terrain, soil, even vegetation."
"Forgive me, Professor, but that is quite common assumption. That is how we all look for the right places to dig the wells."
The haciendados nodded, and the magistrado threw me an angry glance. To my surprise, his second angry glance went to the Professor Altamirano, who continued a little insecurely.
"The assumption is the same, the difference lays in the more effective ways of researches made on the surface. Thanks to the specialized equipment, I am able to penetrate the ground in the depth of many feet and practically prepare the maps of the groundwater."
There was a little turmoil in the sala – the idea of mapping the groundwater is definitely appealing to the rancheros.
"That is just compelling, Professor!" I exclaimed. "How many feet? And what kind of equipment gives such possibilities?"
Was he getting slightly irritated? Why, I was only admiring his knowledge. And to appreciate it fully, I would like to understand it...
"Senor," he replied, with hesitation, "I have some schemes with me, but forgive me, these are rather for such bookworms like me, not a brave, young caballero like you. Men of action are not to poor over some…"
In spite of their excitement, rancheros began to laugh. I felt however, that they do not laugh at me, only at the professor.
"You couldn't possible have chosen worse for such comparison, Senor," exclaimed Don Augustin, patting friendly my shoulder to show that he meant no offense.
Professor Altamirano was now quite confused and looked at me with a silent question.
"Senor?... I didn't mean to..."
"Oh, that is all right, Professor. I am definitely not a geologist," I answered with a cheerful smile. "But I would love to see the schemes, if you do not mind..."
"Of course..." mumbled the professor, unrolling the large sheets of paper with the schemes of some devilish machine, consisting of hundreds circles, leverages and gears – and huge gong in the middle. Apparently he was right – I couldn't make heads or tails out of it. The professor tried to explain, but it only darkened the picture.
"So the main source of information are vibrations?" I repeated his explanations, trying to order them. "But in which part of this machine are these vibrations are received? Because it just ends..."
There was only one thing I could state thanks to this conversation: the more explanations Professor Altamirano had to give, the more confused he was.
Magistrado Peraza listened to us with growing irritation and finally interrupted:
"Por favor, Don Diego, there is no use to continue! You lack the basic knowledge of the subject, it would take ages to explain! Let's just decide what to do with that discovery, instead of analyzing it!"
Well, that wasn't very wise of him. You shouldn't tell your future business partner that he has no basic knowledge of the subject. It is very... discouraging. I discreetly looked around: the first ardor of the haciendados partially gave place to the dejection and they were not so eager to invest in Professor Altamirano's machine anymore.
Yet, I may be wrong. This all may be true.
"I agree, Magistrado," I nodded to his surprise. "Let's not talk about it anymore. Let's test it."
"Test it? But it is not built yet!" Professor blinked totally confused.
"Well, so maybe you will prepare some prototype... on a smaller scale... If it works, I am sure that we all would be delighted with the possibility of supporting your work..."
"We will be expecting the results of your work with great impatience. You managed to raise our hopes, Professor," my father concluded with polite smile, yet it was the end of the meeting. He looked around, but the haciendados only nodded – they will be waiting for his decision. And – he will be waiting for mine. It means, that rather unexpectedly, I became quite an important man for Magistrado Peraza... The magistrado was piercing me with a furious glance. He definitely hoped for more concrete conclusion of the meeting. Now he has one more reason to dislike me...
We already left the tavern, when a sudden idea came to my mind. I returned to the sala, trying to behave natural, yet as quiet as possible. The magistrado and professor were busy with collecting maps and schemes, so I managed to overhear a bit of their conversation.
"You didn't sound too convincing, Professor," Damián hissed angrily.
"How could I know that I will run across some local know-all?"
"That is not the point! The point is that you sounded as if you didn't know what you are talking about! Even I wouldn't be persuaded by such explanations!"
Angry silence fell between, so I moved the door, letting them hear me.
"Don Diego? What else can we do for you?" asked Peraza, not hiding the irritation.
"I was just wondering, whether Professor Altamirano could borrow me his schemes? I would gladly study them more exactly at home."
"I am sorry, Senor... I have only one copy," replied the professor with apologizing smile.
"I understand. Well, thank you for the most instructive conversation. It was the pleasure. Senores," I bowed and was about to leave, when the magistrado stopped me:
"Don Diego... I hope you do understand, how important that initiative may be for the whole community... and that you will not obstruct it because of personal animosity with us..."
"So you are implying that there is a personal animosity between us, Magistrado? I am very sorry to here it, I wasn't aware of it," I said innocently. "However, let me assure you, that the welfare of this community is my first concern..."
He looked at me angrily, obviously not mislead by my polite tone.
"You do not seem to contribute much to this welfare, Don Diego. At least do not disturb when someone else does."
"If he does, Magistrado," I corrected him with a smile and left, fully aware of his furious glance piercing my back.
"And what do you think?" asked my father, when I joined him in the carriage.
"About that revolutionary method? I really do not know, Father. I guess I am not bookish enough," I smiled, but he only waved his hand.
"No, what do you think about them?"
"Well, it seems that Damián does not have so much respect for Senor Altamirano, as he declared, yet he still called him 'professor', when they were alone. And the professor certainly has problems with clear presentation of his thoughts, but again - it is rather common among the men of science."
"It is hard to believe, that our magistrado would participate in some mean deception."
"Exactly. And yet – things are not always what they seem to be. We should know that the best, Father," I smiled and he nodded.
"Let's just wait and see. There might be a lot of good for us all from this undertaking. But..."
"But I think Zorro will pay the visit in the professor's room tonight. You know, just in case," I smiled again, enjoying the perspective of the night's escapade, but my father seemed to be absent-minded and after the moment of silence he said:
"Maybe he shouldn't... With Capitán Barcelo trying so hard to get any clue..."
"The presence of the capitán is the reason to behave as usual, Father. He may not get the impression, that the Fox was warned..."
"Just be careful," sighed my father unconvinced.
In spite of the warning I eagerly prepared myself for the night escapade. I do like night. I do like darkness. I do like dancing with shadows...
"Would you enjoy the ride, Tornado?" I asked him, expecting the satisfied whicker. Instead, Tornado avidly sniffed out my hands and pockets.
"No, no dainties tonight, my friend! You are just spoilt by a certain lady!" I reprimanded him, and he snorted angrily, yet rushed into the night with excitement.
Professor Altamirano was eating his supper with the magistrado and talking to some rancheros, so I could calmly search his room. Some clothes, a lot of books – geography and geology – even some tools and instruments... I felt a bit ashamed of my suspicions. It seemed that he was really a scientist, even if a bit shy and uncommunicative. Nevertheless, it didn't mean that his theory is true. We will have to wait and see the results of the test. As for now, there is nothing to do for Zorro, so I went back to Tornado and left the pueblo.
However, my adventures in that evening only began. On the Camino Real just after the town I met Capitán Barcelo. It surprised me – we didn't schedule the meeting for tonight, why should he be riding toward our hacienda? What was more, he was alone and looked anxiously around, as if he had lost something.
Some strange impulse took me out of shadows, so that I let him see me.
When he noticed me, he stopped and tensed. He was wise enough not to try to get near me, only stared at me, alert, almost fascinated. I looked at him also, as if I didn't know him. No, it was not only that I tried to delude him. It was that... everything looks a bit different from behind the mask. More... real. When there are no rules, no limits that your face, and name put on you...
Tornado danced for a moment in the moonlight and then we disappeared in shadows.
I understood that this short silent meeting defined a new stage in our acquaintanceship. Dancing around has ended, it is time to start the real game... I knew he must be feeling the same.
El Camino Real was today full of surprises... Quite near to our hacienda I found the reason of Barcelo's night excursion – his niece was marching along the road, browsing anxiously around. She seemed to be scared to death and near tears. I rode to her slowly, to not to frighten her even more:
"Buenas noches, Senorita! What are you doing here alone?"
She jumped, but then crew with evident joy:
"Zorro! I met you!"
"Apparently you did," I couldn't help but smile, "but you shouldn't be here. Your uncle seems to be looking for you..."
"I left him a note that I am going for a walk to the de la Vega hacienda."
"For a walk?..." I repeated startled.
Such a distance, in darkness... Barcelo must have been dying of angst. However, his little niece explained with fair smile:
"I was hoping I may meet you in the darkness... And I did!"
She stared at me with such admiration, that I felt a little unsure.
"Senorita, there are plenty things here that you may meet in the darkness, and most of them are rather unpleasant..." I explained a bit irritated.
"Oh, but I didn't meet any of them... I met you!" she stated merrily, not taking her eyes of me. I might be flattered, if I wasn't so preoccupied with wondering how to deliver her as discreetly and quickly as possible in some safe place. We were already nearer the hacienda than Barcelo... and I doubted that he would welcome me with open hands, if I brought him his niece from the night ride.
"All right, Senorita, I will take you to the de la Vega hacienda. Tell them to send someone to your uncle as soon as possible. And never, ever walk at night alone again, will you remember?" I tried to appeal to her reason, but she seemed to be so excited with the perspective of the ride, that she hardly listened.
I sighed and sat her on Tornado, who this time was unusually dissatisfied with the double burden. Really, I do not know what Rosa did to this horse! Luckily, the hacienda was already near. I left her just before the gate, saying quickly, "Good bye, Senorita," and disappeared in the darkness with such haste, as if Sergeant Garcia with all his lancers was just behind me.
Until I managed to return from the cave and change my clothes, Capitán Barcelo was already in the hacienda, he and Carmelita sitting with Rosa in the sala. He must have rebuked his niece for the escapade, as the mood was rather gloomy, but I had the impression that she didn't tell him about our encounter.
Capitán Barcelo welcomed me with a usual polite smile, yet I could see that he was very despondent.
"Something is bothering you, Capitán?" I ask, but he waved his hand resigned:
"Almost everything, Don Diego! It has been a terrible day, from the very beginning till the end. Would you allow me to use your library? I need some good lecture to lighten my spirit."
"With pleasure," I led him to the next room. The capitán started to browse the shelves, glancing through one book after another, searching for a suitable lecture.
I stayed behind him, near the doors, so I noticed that as soon as we left the room, Carmelita leant toward Rosa with enlivenment:
"Now I can tell you, what wonderful adventure I had tonight! I met Zorro!"
I stiffened. Great. That is how one's being punished for his good intentions.
I could hear Rosa replying with sudden interest:
"Oh really? That is fascinating! Come here, my dear, tell me everything!"
Carmelita moved to the sofa near her and started to whisper. I saw Rosa's eyebrows raising - and there was nothing, exactly nothing I could do, except watch them from distance and listening to nagging of Capitán Barcelo.
"How can I gather information, when vaqueros leave the tavern when I enter? Suddenly no one recalls anything about that man! And yet when I wanted to made a siesta, someone woke me up singing some damn song about the Fox just before my windows! Then my niece suddenly fancies night walks. And finally, what happens, just to crown the day? That black bastard shows off just before my nose! And that is not all..."
I shook my head with compassion, but my whole attention was with the women in the next room. I looked and swallowed anxiously. How could they whisper so long after such a short ride?
"... not a sheet of paper from the whole six months!"
"Excuse me, Capitán? You were saying?" I turned to him a bit unsettled.
"I was saying, that this stupid sergeant has such a mess in his archives, that they are just useless! I asked him to find me all the records about Zorro, and specifically the reports concerning his first appearances. You understand, Don Diego, at the beginning he must have been learning his role, he was unsure, maybe he made some mistakes... I did count on it! And that incompetent elephant just lost them! Exactly those!"
What? My eyes narrowed in disbelief, as I clearly remembered the neat pile of papers lying on the desk. I didn't take them... Is it possible, that Sergeant Garcia managed to lose the significant part of them on the short way between the archives and Barcelo's office? Well, I am the last one to complain on his muddle. I guess that I have more luck than I deserve...
"... oh, he is so incredible, Dona Rosa, I could do anything..." I could hear feverish whispers of Carmelita.
Anything? Is it possible that it includes poking around her uncle's documents?
"... and it was so romantic!..."
What was romantic, for Heaven's sake? I think my luck is over.
"Don Diego?... Don Diego, I would take these, if you do not mind," Capitán Barcelo approached me with a stack of books.
"Of course. Be my guest, Capitán."
Luckily the capitán wanted to return to the pueblo, as I wasn't sure how I would handle the conversation. When we said farewell to them, I could almost feel clouds gathering over me, just in the point where my sweet lady stood... As soon as they left, she turned on me dark glance
"Rosita, I couldn't just leave her. She was there alone, lost, it was dark..." I tried to reason, but I couldn't count on an understanding audience.
"Oh what a poor thing!" she hissed without a shadow of compassion. "Next time, when you feel like being chivalrous, consider it twice! Because if I hear once more about el Zorro carrying on horseback some little sweet senorita I am moving to my father's house!"
"Rosita..."
She turned back on the spot so that her dress swirled around her and rushed to her room without a word. However, just in the middle of the stairs, the whole energy seemed to leave her. She sat on the stairs, crouches and sobbed:
"Oh, she is so slim..."
And how could anyone reason with it?
Perhaps Zorro really shouldn't ride for some time... There are too many dangers waiting for him in the darkness than he can handle...
On the next day I could see the results of my night encounter with the capitán doubled his eagerness to complete his task.
When I visited the pueblo, I noticed Sergeant Garcia pinning some announce at the wall of the tavern.
"What is it Sergeant?" I asked. "A new bandit is wanted?"
"Oh no, Don Diego. We are just changing the wanted posters for Zorro."
"Changing?..."
Sergeant Garcia moved back and I could see the same search warrant I am so used to, only with doubled reward.
"Four thousand pesos?" I asked incredulously, trying to hide satisfaction. It is so nice to be appreciated...
"Capitán Barcelo's orders. He says he wouldn't neglect any way," explained Sergeant Garcia with despondent sigh. I could see that he is under the spirit, so I tried to console him a little.
"Do not worry, Sergeant. Whatever he does, I am sure that you, and no one else, will catch the Fox. So, that is good for you," I pointed the new poster, "your reward has just doubled!" I laughed, but Sergeant Garcia didn't seem to be comforted.
"It is not that, Don Diego," he said gloomy. Strange – usually mentioning the reward was enough to brighten his mood. "It is just... well, I got used to him... I mean – Zorro... We went through quite a lot together... And now – with Capitán Barcelo so determined – I have the feeling that his days are numbered..."
I hate to admit it, but his mood influenced me somehow. I couldn't find any witty response, only pat his shoulder.
"Do you think it will work, Capitán?" I asked Barcelo, who approached us in that moment.
"I do not know... Maybe... I just do not want to neglect anything," he explained, but I could see that something else was preoccupying him. The explanation was quick to come, as he took us aside and asked:
"How do you think, sergeant, Don Diego, how can one pass the message to the Fox? How the information reach him?"
"Usually it is enough to say something, and the Fox knows it," explained the sergeant with his normal trust in my abilities. Barcelo looked at us incredulously.
"What do you mean: 'to say something'? You want to tell me, that if I speak right know to you about something, he knows it?"
Well... to tell the truth... yes?...
"In the tavern, Capitán," I explained with a chuckle. "I would advise you to say it aloud in the tavern."
However, as I was rather anxious to hear it from the first hand, I asked quickly:
"But why, Capitán? What do you want him to know?"
"Well, I think I have found the way to make Zorro appear at the pueblo."
"Really? And that would be?...
"A little contest. Bowing, jumping, something like this, I am not sure yet. Very innocent. No more than some flowers as the reward. But I will announce it and invite all willing men. If he hears about it, I am sure he will come. And the lancers will be ready, waiting in suitable positions..."
Of course I will not. I never would risk in such stupid way. I am not some cocky idiot.
"Why are you so sure it will lure him?" I asked incredulously. "He will suspect the trap."
"You see, Don Diego, I tried to learn as much as I could about him... I think I have started to know what kind of man he is... Cocky risk-taker. He loves playing with danger... He has never left any challenge unanswered. He will suspect the trap, and that is exactly why he will come – to prove he can outsmart me..."
"Well, I wish you luck, Capitán! I will be there to watch it!" I smiled, a bit heartened.
Of course I will be there, sitting calmly on the tribunes with my wife and watching the show. As I said, I would never risk by taking part in such competition, especially now, when I was warned. No way.
Only that...
When he put it that way...
I would like to win this contest. I would like that very much.