That was a gruesome task which fell to Esteban, for the well had
been long unused, its sides were oozing slime, its waters were
stale and black. He was on the point of fainting when he finally
climbed out, leaving the negroes to hoist the dripping, inert
weight which he had found at the bottom.

Old Sebastian's curse had come true; Dona Isabel had met the fate
he had called down upon her that day when he hung exhausted in his
chains and when the flies tormented him. The treasure for which
the woman had intrigued so tirelessly had been her death. Like an
ignis fatuus, it had lured her to destruction. Furthermore, as if
in orirnmest irony, she had been permitted at the very last to
find it. Living, she had searched to no purpose whatsoever; dying,
she had almost grasped it in her arms.

Once the first excitement had abated and a messenger had been sent
to town, Cueto drew Esteban aside and questioned him.

"A shocking tragedy and most peculiar," said the overseer.
"Nothing could amaze me more."

"Exactly! And all because of her sleep-walking. I'm all in a
tremble."

"She was asleep? You are sure?"

"Have I not told you so?" Esteban was impatient.

"But it is said that people given to that peculiarity never come