lives, their suspicions would rest and there would be an end of
it. And Morano should disguise himself as Rodriguez.

It was a new idea. Had Rodriguez been twice his age he would have
discarded it at once; for age is guided by precedent which, when
pursued, is a dangerous guide indeed. Even as it was he was
critical, for the novelty of the thing coming thus from his gross
servant surprised him as much as though Morano had uttered poetry
of his own when he sang, as he sometimes did, certain merry
lascivious songs of Spain that any one of the last few centuries
knew as well as any of the others.

And would not la Garda find out that he was himself, Rodriguez
asked, as quickly as they found out he was not Morano.

"That," said Morano, "is not the way of la Garda. For once let la
Garda come by a suspicion, such as that you, master, are but
Morano, and they will cling to it even to the last, and not
abandon it until they needs must, and then throw it away as it
were in disgust and ride hence at once, for they like not tarrying
long near one who has seen them mistaken."

"They will soon then come by another suspicion," said Rodriguez.

"Not so, master," answered Morano, "for those that are as
suspicious as la Garda change their suspicions but slowly. A
suspicion is an old song to them."

"Then," said Rodriguez, "I shall be hard set ever to show that I
am not you if they ever suspect I am."