’’I have no fear, for I know my own innocence; but it is inexplicable to me.  Poor Percival! he could have had no enemy in the city.’

’’Doubtless he was murdered for his money and his watch; but have you heard from Toluca?’

’’Yes, and Adele informs me that I may expect Pepito in the course of the day.  So I shall not delay my departure beyond to-morrow, perhaps to-night.  But there is some one at the door; doubtless it is Pepito.’

’Mr. Livermore opened the door; but instead of Pepito it was his friend, Pedro, who entered.

‘’My presence surprises you, Caballero,’ said Pedro, drawing a long sigh; ‘but alas!  I have bad news.’

‘What! bad news? speak, speak, quick!’ exclaimed Arthur, turning deadly pale.

’Pedro, before deigning to answer, drew forth a very soiled rag, which served him as a handkerchief, and proceeded to rub his eyes with no little vigor, a pantomime which was intended no doubt to convey the idea of tears having dimmed his eyes.

‘’Alas!  Excellency,’ said he at length, in a lugubrious tone; ’poor Pepito is in sad trouble.’

‘’Have you been fighting again?  Have you killed him?’ I exclaimed.

‘’Killed him? I kill him!’ he repeated indignantly; ’how can you imagine such an outrage, Caballero?  Kill my best friend!  No, Senor; but poor Pepito has been pressed into a military company.  To-morrow, they will uniform him and march him off to some frontier regiment.’

‘’Is there no way of buying him off?’ inquired Arthur.

’’Nothing more easy, Caballero.  You have simply to write to the General who commands the department, and state that Pepito is attached to your person, as a personal attendant, and that will suffice to set him at liberty.  They never press people in service.’

’Mr. Livermore lost no time in following Pedro’s advice.  As soon as the letter was handed to him, the latter waved it in triumph over his head, and rushed forth to effect the deliverance of his dear compadre, Pepito.

’The impressment of Pepito surprised me, for I had not heard of their taking any body who had reached the dignity of a pair of inexpressibles, and the luxury of a pair of shoes.  The Indians in the neighborhood of the capital, besotted by drink and misery, almost naked, and living or rather burrowing in caves, were usually the only victims of the recruiting sergeant.  However, as the letter given by Arthur to Pedro could be of no use to the latter, I saw no reasonable ground to doubt the story.

’As it seemed probable that Mr. Livermore would shortly leave the city, I accepted his invitation, and promised to return and dine with him at five o’clock, adding that I hoped then to meet Pepito, and receive from him a full account of his adventures since we had parted.

XIII.

’About three o’clock, I returned home.  I had ensconced myself, book in hand, in my rocking-chair, when groans which seemed to proceed from Mr. Livermore’s room, attracted my attention.  I listened at the door, and my fears were realized.  The groans were assuredly uttered by my neighbor.  I rushed into his room, and as I crossed toward his bed, a fearful spectacle met my gaze.