XIV
'It was past midnight when I reached Toluca. As it was too late to call on Adéle, I alighted at a tavern, where I passed the night, pacing my chamber, and not closing my eyes. Soon after daybreak I sought the house of Pepito's sister; and notwithstanding the earliness of the hour, found Mrs. Percival standing at one of the windows.
''You here, Mr. Rideau!' she exclaimed, with surprise, on seeing me. 'How did you find my retreat?'
''I was told of it by Mr. Livermore.'
''Ah! 'tis he who sent you.'
''Alas! not so, madame.'
''Alas!you say, alas! What do you mean? Have you ill news?'
''I have, indeed, madame.'
''Arthur is dead!' she cried. 'I know he is dead! But, tell me, I entreat you, tell me all. Howwhen did this happen?'
'I gave her a detailed account of Arthur's death, to which she listened with rapt attention.
''This opal-mine, like the Golden Fleece, brings misfortune to all who seek it,' she said, when I had finished, 'Poor Arthur! I loved him fondly, devotedly; and his image will live forever in my heart. But at such a crisis it is worse than follyit is madness to waste time by giving way to grief. Reason teaches us to bow before the inevitable. It is idle to repine at the decrees of Fate. I am alone, nowalone, without a friend or a protector. No matter; I have a stout heart, and the mercy of Providence is above all. But to business: After the death of Mr. Livermore, what became of the papers?'
''I burned them before his death, in obedience to his injunctions.'
''You burned them! I will not believe it!' she exclaimed, in a loud voice, and with a penetrating glance.
'I felt the blood rush to my face; she noticed my anger, and at once added, in milder tone:
''Pardon me! pardon me! I knew not what I said; I am well-nigh crazy; I do believe you, I do indeed; forgive me, and think of the despair to which the loss of those papers reduces me. I have no copy, and with them my secret perishes. I am ruinedruined irretrievably. The mine is known now only to Pepito!'
''Then, madame, on him you must hereafter rely.'
''Explain to me, pray, how could Arthur, on his dying-bed, have been guilty of so cruel, so mean an act? How could he despoil the woman who had trusted him, and leave her not only forlorn, but destitute?'
'This question embarrassed me, and I was conning an answer, when Adéle resumed:
''Let no false delicacy restrain you; speak out, Mr. Rideau; adversity has taught me endurance, if not courage.'
''Since, madame, you absolutely extort it from me, I must admit that a few moments before he expired, Mr. Livermore'
''Speak out, plainly; I beg of you, conceal nothing.'
''Well, madame, the words he used were: 'I destroy these papers because they were bought with blood. Ten months ago General Ramiro died, at New-Orleans, by poisonpoison administered by Adéle!''
''Poor Arthur! what agony he must have sufferedhe must have been delirious. O Arthur! why was I not beside you? Poor Arthur!' As she uttered these words, she raised her streaming eyes to heaven; her lips moved as if in prayer, and a deadly pallor overspread her countenance.
'In a short time her fortitude returned, and turning toward me, she said, in a voice which betrayed no emotion:
''Let us turn from the past and look at the present. Difficulties surround and threaten to overwhelm me. Before I can determine how they are to be met, I have a proposition to make to you, Mr. Rideau, to which I must have an immediate answer. Will you become my partner in this business?'
''Have you enough confidence in me?'
''I have; and for this reason: you have not sought to meddle in this matter, but from the outset have striven to shun it; you have not obtruded yourself, but been drawn into it in spite of your wishes. Do you accept my proposition? Yes, or no?'
''I accept,' I replied, moderating my joyful feelings as well as I possibly could.
''Such being your decision, what course do you advise?'
''Immediate action, for minutes are precious.'
''I foresee we shall agree perfectly. To-day my host purposes starting for the capital; I shall accompany him. If you return without delay, the remainder of the day will suffice to prepare for the journey, and to-morrow we will start for the opal-mine.'
''But where shall I meet you, madame?'
''At the Hotel de las Diligencias.'
''And where shall I find Pepito?'
''At a tavern near the Barrier del Nino Perdido. But you will not, if you please, inform him of my address. Forwell, it is an unpleasant matter to mentionbut this Pepito seems to be'
''Desperately in love with you.'
''I hardly meant thatbut his attentions are too oppressive to be quite agreeable.'
''I fully understand you, madame. May I inquire if you have had any tidings of Mr. Percival?'
''Do not, I beg, Mr. Rideau, allude to that painful topicall feelings of resentment are hushed in the grave.'
''What! have you heard of his assassination?'
'' Yes; the news reached me yesterday; I read it in the newspaper.'
'I shortly afterward took my leavethe last words of my new copartner being:
''At five, then, at the Hotel de las Diligencias. Be sure you are punctual.'
'Arrived in Mexico, my first thought was to seek for Pepito. Following the directions given me by Mrs. Percival, I soon found him; and repeating to him a portion of the interview I had with the lady, I finished by proposing to take the place of Mr. Livermore in the bargain that had been made between them.
''I ask nothing better,' was the reply. 'Here are my termstwo thousand dollars the very day we return to Mexico, and I to hold the shells till you hand over the money. That is fair, is it not?'
''Quite. When shall I see you again?'
''At eight to-night, on the Cathedral steps.'
'Hastening home, I devoted the rest of the day to preparing for my journey, and a little before five started for the Hotel de las Diligencias. Mrs. Percival had not yet arrived. Twice again I called, but still in vain. The evening gradually wore away, and at eight I paced the Cathedral Square, and for an hour loitered around the steps; but Pepito, also, failed to keep the rendezvous.
'As the next day was Sunday, I felt assured the most likely place to find Pepito, would be the bull-ring. On reaching it, I found a crowd assembled near one of the entrances, and pushing my way through, I beheld Pepito lying on the ground weltering in his blood. I rushed to him, and kneeling down, raised him in my arms.
''Ah! it is you, Señor,' said he, in a feeble tone. 'This is Pedro's work, but it was his last; for I have killed the traitor.'
''Pepito, tell me, for Heaven's sake, where did you find the shells?'I inquired; for avarice and cupidity reigned, I am ashamed to own, paramount within my breast.
''Those shells? In the plains of Chiapathree days' journey from the seanear the little riverin a brookAh! glory to God! here comes a priest!'
'At this moment a fat Franciscan friar pressed through the crowd.
''Absolution, padre! absolution!' cried Pepito, to whom the sight of the friar brought back new life.
''Patience, my son, patience! I am very latevery lateand I must not be detained. Wait a littleand after the sports of the day are over, I will return.'
''But, padre, I shall be dead!'
''Well, then, be quick!'
''I have only two sins on my conscience: I have not attended mass for three weeks.'
''That is sad! very sad! Well, what next?'
''Three days ago I stabbed an Ingleza heretic.'
''Well, my dear son, your sins are venial sins; I absolve you.'
''Pepito, how did that dagger come into your hands?' I exclaimed, for I was astonished to see in his belt the dagger I had lost on the night when Adéle took refuge in my room.