A Horrible Suspicion 



Has your imagination prepared you for something dread- 

 ful ? Mine had — something like what follows. 



I approached the spot, and found Harry sitting among 

 the cloaks and luggage, smoking ; but I saw in an instant, 

 by the expression of his face, and the nervous twitch of his 

 lips, which made the cigar-end shake, that something serious 

 had happened. 



" I have been and done it, and there he lies, poor fellow ; 

 but it was his own fault." 



" Good heavens ! " I exclaimed, as, turning where he 

 pointed, I saw, at about seven yards' distance, the foot of a 

 man sticking out of a plot of brushwood. " Good Heavens ! 

 is he dead ? What is the meaning of all this ? — what has 

 happened ? — and here is another saddle ! — and what is 

 that grey horse ? " 



" I will tell you ; but, in the meanwhile we had better 

 pack our beasts, and be off as quick as we can. I was 

 sitting here about a quarter of an hour ago, when this man 

 came riding across the dehesa^ and seeing me, turned this 

 way. I had loaded my long pistols, and had one of them 

 ready cocked in my hand, under a fold of the cloak I was 

 lying on. After asking me a good many impudent ques- 

 tions, which I answered with as much patience as I could, 

 he said, at last, — 



" ' Ah I I see you are a foreigner, probably on a long 

 journey. Es regular que tienes diner o (it is to be supposed 

 you have money). That is what I am come for, with your 

 permission. I am Pedro Paredes, for that which your 

 worship may please to command — a notable bandit, at 

 whose name the civil guards tremble.' Saying this, he 

 unslung his escopet from the hinder peak of his saddle, and 

 dismounted, to take a steadier shot, in case of need. 



" Instead of getting up, I pulled the saddle-bags and 



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