followed the jaws of la Garda dropped, while the old Priest
slightly smiled, for he somewhat divined the situation already;
and, being the people's friend, he loved not la Garda more than he
was bound by the rules of his duty to man.

Then one of la Garda spoke, bringing back his confidence with a
bluster. "Morano has sold his soul to Satan," he said, "in
exchange for Satan's aid, and Satan has taught his tongue Latin
and guides his fingers in the affairs of the pen." And so said all
la Garda, rejoicing at finding an explanation where a moment ago
there was none, as all men at such times do: little it matters
what the explanation be: does a man in Sahara, who finds water
suddenly, in quire with precision what its qualities are?

And then the Priest said a word and made a sign, against which
Satan himself can only prevail with difficulty, and in presence of
which his spells can never endure. And after this Rodriguez wrote
again. Then were la Garda silent.

And at length the leader said, and he called on them all to
testify, that he had made no charge whatever against this
traveller; moreover, they had escorted him on his way out of
respect for him, because the roads were dangerous, and must now
depart because they had higher duties. So la Garda departed,
looking before them with stern, preoccupied faces and urging their
horses on, as men who go on an errand of great urgency. And
Rodriguez, having thanked them for their protection upon the road,
turned back into the house and the two sat down together, and
Rodriguez told his rescuer the story of the hospitality of the Inn
of the Dragon and Knight.