"It doesn't hardly match my hat," laughed Billie.
Without a word, Santiago removed Billie's sombrero and hung it
on a peg in the closet, which he closed.
Then he opened another door and led Billie into a large,
brilliantly lighted room, hung with the richest tapestries.
"Looks like we had strayed into some Turkish bath house," thought
Billie, "but I might as well see the thing through."
"Sit here beside me, my son," Santiago finally said. "You shall
become my heir. I will introduce you to the court."
Santiago clapped his hands, as though bidding a servant to
attend; but there was no response.
He turned his head from one side to the other as though in
amazement and again clapped his hands, this time with vigor.
After a moment's delay, there was a movement behind one of the
draperies and presently the curtain was drawn back and a man's
face appeared.
"Come hither," commanded Santiago.
The man obeyed.
"Where are the others?" demanded Santiago.
"Oh, senor," cried the man, "the others have hidden themselves in
the cellar!"
"Slaves! Cowards!" exclaimed Santiago. "What do they fear?"
"The great guns, senor. We might all be killed."
"You will certainly be killed if you do not mind what I say," was
the reply as Santiago drew his sword.
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