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The Curse of Capistrano
by Johnston McCulley
1919
Contents
Pedro, the Boaster On the Heels of the Storm Senor Zorro Pays a Visit Swords Clash--And Pedro Explains A Ride in the Morning Diego Seeks a Bride A Different Sort of Man Don Carlos Plays a Game The Clash of Blades A Hint at Jealousy Three Suitors A Visit Love Comes Swiftly Captain Ramone Writes a Letter At the Presidio The Chase That Failed Sergeant Gonzales Meets a Friend Don Diego Returns Captain Ramone Apologizes Don Diego Shows Interest The Whipping Swift Punishment More Punishment At the Hacienda of Don Alejandro A League is Formed An Understanding Orders For Arrest The Outrage Don Pulido Feels Ill The Sign of the Fox The Rescue Close Quarters Flight and Pursuit The Blood of the Pulidos The Clash of Blades Again All Against Them The Fox at the Bay The Man Unmasked "Meal Mush and Goat's Milk!"
Chapter 1
Pedro, the Boaster
AGAIN THE SHEET of rain beat against the roof of red Spanish tile, and the wind shrieked like a soul in torment, and smoke puffed from the big fireplace as the sparks were showered over the hard dirt floor.
"Tis a night for evil deeds!" declared Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, stretching his great feet in their loose boots toward the roaring fire and grasping the hilt of his sword in one hand and a mug filled with thin wine in the other. "Devils howl in the wind, and demons are in the raindrops! Tis an evil night, indeed--eh, senor?"
"It is!" The fat landlord agreed hastily; and he made haste, also, to fill the wine mug again, for Sergeant Pedro Gonzales had a temper th