Chapter 21:
The morning after, the health of Diego doesn't seem to improve.
Bernardo goes to welcome Padre Felipe, who came as a guest, but although Bernardo tries to make him understand that Diego needs rest, Padre Felipe insisted to see him, and asked Bernardo to leave him alone with Diego. Reluctant, Bernardo ended by accepting, when he realizes that Diego wouldn't be proud of his reaction.
...
"Diego, my child..." Began the Padre once alone with him.
"You should go away from Los Angeles for a short time... Last night, Zorro came to visit me with a señorita. After his departure, we talked a long time, she and I... Salena has well changed, she has become very hard.
"She related some memories she shared with you. It's true that you were a little devil, Diego. Fortunately, you became wise with years. However, I think that your impish side must come out from you, time to time... These memories make me think about another one who could have been this mischievous child... I'm certain you will laugh if you know who I'm thinking of.
"I wanted her to come with me today, but she owned up that she isn't ready to see you. It's true that she confessed a weigh she had on her heart. She feels responsible of misfortunes which overwhelm you since your head injury.
"I'll be back tomorrow, with her, with the hope to find you awake... Until then, rest and know that all is fine."
Then Padre Felipe made a prayer and left just after.
In the courtyard, he met Don Alejandro while Bernardo was returning at Diego's side.
"Padre Felipe! How are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
"You came to see Diego?"
"Yes. I saw him yesterday afternoon, and since he didn't seem fine, I wanted to reassure me that he was alright, but..."
Don Alejandro frowned. Diego was less tired yesterday, at dinner time. Did he relapse?
"He must still need rest." Affirmed Don Alejandro without believing it.
"I think so. Let him rest as far as he wishes."
"I will see to it." Sustained Don Alejandro.
"Have a good day, Don Alejandro."
"Good day to you too, Padre."
As soon as the Padre left, Don Alejandro went to see his son. Bernardo was making him drink a sort of mixture and Don Alejandro understood that Diego was again feverish. Slowly, he goes close to him and touched his burning forehead. Then, he took a chair and sat down at his side.
"Son, if tomorrow you're not better, I will call for Doctor Avila... Until then, fight!"
The day went by without real changes to the detriment of Don Alejandro which was losing hope. However, on the approach of the evening, Diego regains consciousness.
"Father." He says his voice tightened with emotion, by seeing him.
"Diego." He breathed, relieved. "How do you feel?"
"Tired." He admits. "You seem alleviated to see me awake... How long did I sleep?" Asked Diego.
"All day long... You already came through a long hardship in the past; I was hoping that it didn't repeat."
"I understand your relief, Father." Diego says.
"Do you need something?"
"I think that something to eat will be welcome." Diego smiles.
Don Alejandro then gets up.
"I will go in the kitchen to give some orders. Rest yourself."
Don Alejandro left then, letting the place to Bernardo which exchanged a smile with Diego. Bernardo asked him what happened the previous night.
Diego was thoughtful a moment and, trying to make himself more comfortable, winced. The pain on his side helped him to remind him.
"Bernardo, we'll have to think to change the bandage that Padre Felipe made to me."
Bernardo watched Diego, puzzled.
"I better start from the beginning. When I arrived to Los Angeles last night, Lancer Juan Cortès was going to bring the señorita in the desert to get rid of her. I was right, wanting to go out in spite of all. I chased after them after having given a visit of courtesy to the magistrado, in the commandante's office.
"When I found them, Zorro was forced to confront him a left-handed. There, all was still all right. I brought back the lancer to the cuartel as for he ended in a cell. He is one of the murderers of Salena's parents... Then, as I was explaining this to the magistrado, the lancer's brother arrived. He is the stranger we met to the tavern a couple of days ago...
"My affairs became then complicated. Feverish and tired, I was forced to fight against the brother of the lancer, again pretending to be a left-handed... The tiredness made me do a mistake and my opponent touched me then. Nevertheless, I managed to unarm him before bringing the señorita to the mission. On place, I asked asylum for the young lady, and I was about to leave when I fell unconscious."
Bernardo stopped him an instant, and explained having seen him in the cave before his return.
"No, Bernardo. It wasn't me. When I lost consciousness, Padre Felipe explained to me that the señorita borrowed my cloak and my hat before galloping away on Tornado's back. The lancers were coming closer, she allowed me, in some way, to escape them. The lancers chased after her, believing they chased after the Fox. Fortunately, indeed. Padre Felipe took care of my wound, then I ended to regain consciousness and I came back... After, it's quite blurred... And before I forget, it's rather probable that the señorita is Salena De Castillos. Zorro asked Padre Felipe to lead her to the De la Vegas where she will find advice with Don Alejandro. If it's well her, this affair is ended and we only have to resolve the lancer Pizaro's murders."
Bernardo reprimanded him.
"Yes, I'm conscious about it, my good Bernardo. I'm not in the state to act now, whatever happens. Don't worry, I will wait and see how it will turn."
Then, Don Alejandro came back with a little something to eat. And while Diego ate, Don Alejandro made him know that one of the men responsible for the De Castillos' disappearance has been caught thanks to the help of the Fox. The innkeeper, which was awakened during the night, didn't stop relating this story to all who wanted to listen to him. The brother of the guilty lancer fought against Zorro, based on noises he heard. Moreover, the innkeeper sustained stubbornly that afterward Zorro was chased all night long by the lancers.
Remarking that his son was nearly sleepy, Don Alejandro wished him good night and left him.
Bernardo took the relay and changed the bandage on his side. The wound was nasty to see. A few minutes before Diego fell asleep, Bernardo made him drink his potion to his great disgust.
"I'm obliged?" Diego asks by wincing like would have done a child.
Bernardo makes him remark that he acted like a child, and nodded severely.
"Very well then... I will drink it... Gracias, Bernardo."
And the night went by gently.
The morning after, Diego stretches slowly, very slowly. After a short talk with Bernardo, Diego hushed and listened while horses could be heard.
"Do you want to go and see who is arriving? Please." Asked Diego.
Five minutes after, Bernardo came back in a hurry and explained him that the Padre just arrived with a lovely señorita.
"Make them come in the sala and bring them some drinks, I will join you."
Bernardo nodded affirmatively and went out immediately, going to meet the visitors which were then in the patio and did what Diego asked. When the padre knew that Diego was awake and that he will come, he followed Bernardo, smiling, puzzling the señorita with the use of the sign language.
"Excuse me, Padre, but I find your behavior... strange." She says once Bernardo was out of the sala.
Padre Felipe smiled to the comment.
"My child, Bernardo, Diego's manservant, is deaf and dumb. The only way to communicate with him is to use the language of signs."
"Oh... It must be difficult."
"It's certainly not for Bernardo or Diego. They have a great easiness to communicate." Explained the padre.
A few minutes after, Bernardo came back with a tray well filled and put it on the table, inviting the Padre and the señorita to take a seat while Diego was arriving at his turn.
"Buenos días, Diego. I'm happy to see you standing up, my child."
"Buenos días, Padre, Señorita." He saluted her then, smiling, and kissing the lovely lady's hand.
The señorita and Diego stared at each other during a certain time. To Diego, she wasn't unknown. He knew her, he would have sworn it.
"Buenos días, Señor De la Vega. Last night wasn't too agitated?" She asked mischievously and intriguing Diego who recognizes her voice.
"'Les pensées' from Pascal are very philosophical and don't allow to the spirit to rest." He retorts, smiling. "Could you be, by chance, the señorita I met some days ago? How are you feeling?"
"I... Thank you for your intervention, Señor. Your help permits me to become my old self again."
In the mean time, outside, Don Alejandro was coming back from Los Angeles along with Sergeant Garcia and the magistrado.
"If I believe your words and yesterday's gossip in the pueblo, Señor Magistrado, Zorro would have handed over one of the men responsible for the De Castillos' disappearance."
"Yes. But he helped the vagabond to escape."
"How far is the investigation about the murder of the lancer?"
"Well, I have to ask another lancer to investigate, as Juan Cortès is at this time in cell."
"What has he done?" Asked Don Alejandro innocently by opening the hacienda's door, and inviting the sergeant and the magistrado to come in the sala.
Inside, the talk stopped when the door opened and each of them looked to the new guests. There was a heavy silence and a stress was felt by Diego.