That only I fear--and that, O senor, O my father," said the child, lifting her little arms towards his--"that I know is not thine own!" The Commander shuddered and turned away.

Then, recovering himself, he kissed Paquita gravely on the forehead and bade her retire.

A few hours later, when silence had fallen upon the Presidio, he sought his own couch and slept peacefully.
At about the middle watch of the night a dusky figure crept through the low embrasure of the Commander's apartment.

Other figures were flitting through the parade ground, which the Commander might have seen had he not slept so quietly.

The intruder stepped noiselessly to the couch and listened to the sleeper's deep-drawn inspiration.