Stranger in the Night

Disclaimers: The characters from the Queen of Swords are copyright to Fireworks Productions and Paramount. No copyright infringement is intended or revenue expected from their use. The story plot and other characters are copyright to the author, James Guy.

The overcast sky hid the quarter moon as the rider galloped away from the pursuing soldiers. The distance between the soldiers and the rider was growing when one soldier leveled his musket and fired. Immediately the rider felt a burning sensation and realized that the soldier had done the impossible. He had actually hit his intended target.

Urging her horse on, she rode into the foothills and into the woods. Glancing over her shoulder she saw that the soldiers had given up the chase, but she did not slow down. She rode for another twenty minutes as blood oozed from her side and weakness overcame her. She started to pull back on the reins as the big horse jumped a small ravine causing the horse to stumble, spilling his rider. Rider and horse landed hard and the rider fell down the ravine’s slope.

The Queen of Swords awoke in pain and nausea. Her horse was no where to be found, but she heard the sound of a stream and smelled smoke. She found her way to the stream and saw a small campfire burning. A horse was picketed off to the left and there was no sign of life in the camp. She drew her sword and crept into the camp. Keeping to the shadows, she was within two feet of the horse when the butt end of a musket contacted the back of her head. A flash of light was all that the Queen of Swords saw before she blacked out.

The afternoon sun was bright when the Queen of Swords opened her eyes. She lay on her back on the ground with her hands tied together and staked to the ground behind her head. She tried to move her feet but they two were tied and staked also. A blanket covered her, but even in her pain she realized she was naked under the blanket. Her mouth was gagged with her mask.

She raised her head to see a man, with hair as long as Tessa’s and almost the same color, with a neatly trimmed beard. He was coming towards her with a knife that he had just removed from the campfire. She quickly closed her eyes and pretended to be unconscious.

The man pulled back the blanket and she felt his hands remove something from her stomach. It felt like her chemise. Suddenly she tried to scream as the red-hot knife was pressed to her skin and she smelled her burning flesh as she passed out.

The man jerked in surprise but continued his work.

"Shit. You were supposed to be unconscious when I did this," he said in English

The Queen of Swords awoke as the morning sun crept over the mountains. Her hands and feet were still tied, but she was no longer staked out. The blanket covered her but she knew she was still naked. She could feel dried blood on her thighs and her side ached.

She saw the man in the stream taking a bath and watched as he walked out of the stream totally naked and dried himself. He was about her heighth and slender. His stomach, chest and arms rippled with muscles. His upper body and face were deeply suntanned. A few scars on his chest and arms indicated that he had seen some violence in his lifetime. His beard was similar to Montoya’s.

Pulling on a shirt and a pair of trousers, he walked to the fire. The man crouched by the fire and started fixing a meal. He turned as he heard her stir. Getting up, he walked over to her. He pulled the blanket over to expose only her side.

Tessa heard him ask her something, which sounded like a mixture of English and very bad Spanish and with a drawl.

She shook her head to indicate she did not understand him.

He repeated his question in perfect Spanish.

"Como esta?"

"I hurt like hell. What have you done to me?"

"Kept you from bleeding to death."

"Right. That was the reason you tied me up, removed my clothes and had your way with me. I can feel the blood on my thighs and I hurt down there. You bastard, you raped me."

"Just hang on there little lady. Let’s get a few things straight. You crept into my camp in the middle of the night wearing all black clothes and a mask. You were carrying a sword and you tried to steal my horse. You had been shot but not by me. I took your clothes off for two reasons. One to be able to work on the wounds and second so your clothes could be washed."

"You washed my clothes?"

"Washed and sewed up the bullet holes. They are folded and you are using them for a pillow. Unfortunately your chemise was too delicate for me to sew, so I used it to help bandage you."

"So why tie me up the way you did?"

"You are a known bandita who was trying to steal my horse," he grinned. "I tied you the way I did to keep you from thrashing around in your fever and reopening your wound. I do apologize that I did not know you were awake when I used my knife. The bleeding wouldn’t stop so I had to cauterize the wounds."

"So I suppose you decided to use me while I was unconscious/," she asked as her face flared red.

"Senorita, when I make love to a woman I prefer her to be alive and conscious. You were unconscious and almost dead. Your honor is intact."

"But the blood and the pain?"

"Again," he said exasperated, "I am telling you that it was from the gunshot. I cleaned the rest of you, but I thought you would prefer to clean yourself down there. If you hurt down there, it is probably due to the fall from your horse. I found where you had fallen. That was a very steep arroyo you rolled down."

Tessa kept quiet for a few minutes when her stomach rumbled. The man started laughing.

"That is a good sign that you are getting better. You have been here for four days."

"Four days? My horse should have gone home and alerted my friends by now."

"I found your horse. He was lame."

"Lame?" she asked hesitantly.

"Lame. I know what you are thinking. Out here a lame horse is destroyed."

"Oh my poor Chico," she said as she started to cry.

The sudden whinny of a horse drew her attention to the four horses picketed behind her.

"Chico?" she asked with a sense of relief.

The man grinned and nodded towards the horses. Tessa her head to see Chico and an identical chestnut stallion, a lighter brown mare with a red chest and a scroungy looking gelding.

"I have only put down one horse in my life and that one tangled with a bear. I swore I would never put down another if I could help it. Your horse is recovering but you won’t be able to ride him for some time. Now, slip your hands over my head."

"Why?"

"Because you are too weak to walk. I am going to carry you to the stream so you can clean up. Now that you are awake you no longer need these."

Taking the knife, he cut away the ropes on her ankles and hands. Leaving the blanket on her, he scooped her into his arms. Standing up, with Tessa in his arms, the blanket fell off exposing all of her. He caught it in his fingers and it dangled to the ground.

Tessa was confused on whether to try and cover herself with her hands or do what the man said. Hesitantly and blushing, she put her hands around his neck. He did not appear to notice her nakedness so she started to relax. She watched his face as he carried her over to some rocks by the stream and set her down. His steel blue eyes showed strength and kindness. \His face looks familiar and for some reason I trust him,\ she thought.

\My information was only partially correct,\ the man thought. \I was told she was beautiful but the description left out just how beautiful. I have never seen a more beautiful woman except for Susan. Down Karl, concentrate on what you are doing, not on the lady,\

"Stay right there. I will help you into the water in a minute," he said as walked back to the fire and rummaged around in his saddlebags.

"Here," he said handing her the blanket, a bar of soap and a small jar. "The bottle holds rosewater that my wife Susan liked to use in her hair. She died a couple of years ago from fever."

He offered his hand and then helped her into the stream.

The cold water shocked her but it felt good to be clean again. The rose water smelled good and she lathered her hair and rinsed it. After fifteen minutes she walked out of the water totally unashamed about being naked in front of this stranger.

The man, who had been tending the fire walked over and handed her a towel and indicated some clothes. "Those were my wife’s also."

"You may use these for your hair," he said handing her a comb and brush. They were decorated with mother of pearl shells.

Tessa dried herself and dressed. She walked over to the fire as she combed and brushed her hair.

"How do you like your food? Burnt or burnt?" he grinned.

"Slightly burned," she replied laughing as he handed her a small skillet and a fork.

He indicated a cup filled with steaming coffee. "Sorry, I had no egg shells for the coffee."

She walked over to the bedroll she had been on before. Her sword lay on the bedroll. As she ate, Tessa looked around the camp and saw her saddle, which appeared to have been oiled.

"I took the liberty of cleaning the blood off of the saddle and oiled it. I also sharpened your sword. There were a couple of nicks in the blade but nothing that couldn’t be repaired," he said.

"You are a strange man. I don’t even know your name," said Tessa.

"Senorita Maria Teresa Alvarado, my name is Karl Bornehorst. Yes I know who you are. I saw you once in the pueblo and of course I saw the wanted poster. You are worth a lot to me."

Tessa froze. She knew she was too weak to fight him.

"So what are you going to do to me?" asked Tessa as her hand reached for her sword.

"First I am going to make sure you are well, then take you home. What? You thought I was going to take you to Montoya? Hell, if I was going to do that, I would have slung your lifeless body over my horse and taken you into town long before now."

"Why didn’t you?" she asked , her hand rested on the sword.

Karl saw her movement but did not react.

"Senorita, you are a beautiful woman. I have seen more of you than probably any other man. There is no way I would turn you over to that pig Montoya or his perro Captain of the guards. I know what they would do to you, before they killed you."

"Is this where I am supposed to be so thankful that I would give myself to you?"

"You cut me to the quick, Senorita. I have been totally honorable towards you. Ok so I have see you naked, but I did notice that you did not try to hide when you came out of the river. If you gave yourself to me, it would have to be out of more than just thanks for saving you. If I planned on staying around, maybe I would ask your permission to court you."

"Maybe?" she asked with a playful look. She removed her hand from the sword.

"Ok I admit it. I would ask your permission and you would have to shoot me to keep me away."

"Have you met my duenna Marta?"

Karl shook his head no. "Even your duenna would not keep me away, even if I had to court both of you."

"You would two-time me?" she asked indignantly.

"If that was the only way to be close to you. Besides, your duenna is a beautiful woman also, but I do fear that she would be as much a handful as you would be. Two peas in a pod, so to speak," he laughed.

Tessa handed him back the empty skillet and fork. She went to Chico as Karl went to the river to scour the utensils before putting them away.

Chico was excited to see her and rubbed his nose in her hair. Tessa ran her hands over Chico’s freshly curried body and then checked out his legs. She turned with a start as Karl walked up.

"Do you approve?" he asked.

"Approve? You saved my life and Chico’s I can barely see his injury. I could kiss you."

"So what is stopping you?" he asked with a grin. His grin was cut short as Tessa grabbed his head and planted a kiss on his lips.

Karl was taken aback by the kiss but the sweetness of her kiss lingered when she broke away. It was his turn to blush.

"Senorita?"

"Please Karl, call me Tessa. As you pointed out we have become very familiar."

Karl looked at her questioningly. "You saw me come out of the stream, didn’t you?" he asked.

"Yes,’ she said blushing.

"See anything you like?" Karl asked with a grin.

"Maybe, but a lady shouldn’t mention things like that," replied Tessa.

A sudden feeling of nausea and lightheadedness caused Tessa to put the back of her hand to her throat and then her forehead in her famous ‘I am just a helpless female’ act.

"I guess since I ride as the Queen of Swords, some people might not think of me as a lady," she said as she suddenly collapsed into his arms.

Tessa awoke and once again found herself under the blanket, but this time she was still clothed in another woman’s pants and shirt.

"Karl?" she called.

"Shhh," he whispered. "We have company."

Tessa realized that Karl was carrying a rifle and he handed her a pistol. She also found her sword under the blanket.

"Who is it?" she whispered.

"Soldiers about a mile away. I thought it best to have you wearing other clothes than the Queen’s clothes if we were discovered."

Suddenly a soldier rode up and leveled his musket at Karl. Karl also had his own weapon aimed at the soldier.

"Hold it!" shouted Colonel Montoya as he came up behind the soldier.

"Colonel, tell your man to back off before you die, my rifle has a hair trigger and I have a nervous finger," said Karl as he moved his weapon slightly to focus on Montoya.

"You would dare challenge the Commandante of Santa Elena?" asked Montoya as he motioned the soldier to stand easy.

"Colonel, I am a simple man who was suddenly charged by a soldier in my own camp site. What would you do?"

Montoya looked around the camp and saw Tessa.

"Senorita Alvarado, we have been looking for you for a week," said Montoya as he turned his head. "Doctor Helm come here quickly."

"Senorita Alvarado had an accident and has been recovering here. She could not be moved or she would have bled to death."

"What kind of accident?" asked Montoya.

"Apparently her horse was spooked by a rattlesnake and she was thrown. She impaled herself on a tree limb lying on the ground. It was a serious wound," replied Karl.

Suddenly Doctor Helm appeared and dismounted. He went to Tessa and carefully lifted the blanket. Helm saw the sword and a pistol clutched in Tessa’s hands. He looked into Tessa’s eyes and felt a chill go down his spine. Without a comment, he managed to wrap the sword in the blanket without being seen. He lifted the shirt and checked under the bandage.

"Are you a doctor?" asked Helm.

"No, I am just a man who has lived in the wilderness for many years," replied Karl in English. The Senorita has been running a fever since she stumbled into my camp."

Helm smiled. "Lived in the wilderness as in stationed in the wilderness with many others wearing the same clothes?"

"What gave me away?" asked Karl.

"There aren’t many Belgian Percussion Infantry muskets in Alta California," replied Helm.

"Actually, it is a US Model 1816 Type III Belgian Alteration. This one is made by Springfield Arms. You may notice that it is also a little shorter than an Infantry musket."

"Senor," interrupted Montoya, "I do not understand English. Please speak Spanish. I have several questions to ask you."

"Go ahead Colonel," replied Karl.

" First of all who are you and why are you here? You have a very fancy saddle. Where did you get it? We have a bandita in the area who has one similar to it. You have a nice string of horse except for the gelding. One of those horses looks familiar. Where did you get the Chestnut? Where is Senorita Alvarado’s horse?"

"Thank you Colonel. I see you are a man who appreciates fine horseflesh. The chestnuts foaled from the same mare. They are twins. Where one goes, so goes the other. I am afraid I could not find the Senorita’s horse. It probably headed for home."

"I like a man who also appreciates fine horseflesh," replied Montoya. "Now who are you?"

"I am Karl Bornehorst and I have come here from Texas. My friend Jim Bowie gave me the saddle and a Tenessee toothpick that is known as a Bowie knife. I am just passing through on the way to Monterey and then to Fort Ross."

"Will you be so kind as to tell me what business you have in Alta California?" asked Montoya.

"I am looking for a couple of men from the United States. No Colonel, they are not deserters and I am not part of the United States Army," replied Karl.

"Is one of the men you are looking for a Marcus Grisham?" asked Montoya.

"No, never heard of the man. The men I am looking for are my cousins," replied Karl.

"Colonel," interrupted Helm. Would you send one of your men to the Alvarado hacienda for a wagon? She is too weak to ride."

"Of course, and we can speak later when you come to the pueblo," said Montoya as he turned his horse and rode out with his troops.

"Nice save," said Helm to Karl.

"I am afraid I don’t know what you mean," replied Karl.

"The saddle, Tessa wearing other clothes than what she came in with. I did notice her ‘pillow’ seemed to be made up of black silk. Yes I do know who she is, now."

"Nice save yourself doctor. A little slight of hand with the sword," replied Karl. "But that is my saddle."

"Ahem, would you two men please quit patting yourself on the back."

"Just lay back, Senorita, you are still running a fever," said Karl. "I guess taking that bath was not such a good idea."

A few hours later, Tessa rested in her parlor with a glass of wine.

Karl took a drink and closed his eyes to savor the liquid.

"Ahh, wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance," said Karl.

"Did you make that up?" asked Helm savoring his own drink.

"Sorry to say no. Ben Franklin said it."

"And a wise man he was," replied Helm.

A white Siamese cat strolled into the parlor and jumped into Karl’s lap. She turned around three times on his lap and then lay down. Karl stroked the cat’s neck and the animal began to softly purr.

"Karl, who are the men you are looking for, if not Grisham?" asked Tessa.

"I told you, my cousins," replied Karl

"Karl, Princesca does not go to just anyone. She is very particular and she never goes to someone she hasn’t been around for some time. She must trust you, as I do. I hope you will trust me," said Tessa.

"All right. I do trust you. I am looking for Rob Swain and Jacob Van Der Horst," he said with a grin.

"I know them both," replied Tessa.

"I know, how do you think I knew who you were? I lied. I haven’t been to Santa Elena," replied Karl.

"You knew who I was but had never seen me?"

"Tessa. I knew that Tessa and the Queen were one and the same. I met you as the Queen."

"How did you know?" asked Tessa narrowing her eyes.

"Rob’s son Jeff told me when I saw him a few months ago. That is also how I knew that Marta was beautiful also."

"Why are you looking for them?" asked Tessa.

"Call it a gathering of the clan," snickered Karl.

"Something just doesn’t add up," said Helm.

"Such as?" asked Karl.

"First, your had three horses besides the Queen horse. The stallion could be an exact duplicate for Chico."

"I have had Ham since he was a colt. Ham is short for Hambre as he is always hungry. The mare is Robin named for the reddish chest and riding her is like flying. The gelding is Anthony."

"What kind of a name is Anthony for a horse?" asked Tessa.

"I knew a guy by the name of Anthony who should have been gelded, so I named the gelding for him," said Karl with an evil grin.

"Wicked man," grinned Tessa.

"All right, that explains the horses, but do you think you can fool Montoya with that lame excuse for the saddle?" asked Helm.

"What lame excuse is that?" asked Karl.

"The one where you said you received the saddle as a gift," said Tessa.

"Senorita, I did not lie. I did receive that saddle as a gift. Yours was buried under the supplies from the packhorse."

Tessa looked at Helm.

"He’s telling the truth," replied Helm

"He is?" asked Marta as she walked into the parlor and sat down.

"Yes, I helped him load your saddle into the wagon with the supplies. It was covered with a tarp and you leaned against it on the way home," said Helm.

"I told Marta who I was while you were asleep. She too remembers Jacob, Rob and Jeff," said Karl.

Tessa shook her head.

"You have a horse like mine, a saddle like mine and the next thing I suppose you will tell me is that you wear black clothes and a red sash."

"Only at masquerade parties," laughed Karl.

"I still think you are a spy," said Helm.

"Takes one to know one, Doc," replied Karl.

"Are you saying that Rob and Jacob are spies as well?" asked Tessa.

"Not for the United States, but for Texas. There are a lot of Americans in Texas and once Mexico gains its independence from Spain, we feel that Texas will want it’s own independence. There is a movement to establish the Texas Republic. It may take twenty years, but it will happen," replied Karl.

"How tall are you Karl?" asked Helm.

"Five feet nine inches, why?"

"Tessa how tall are you?" asked Helm.

"Five feet seven inches. I will ask the same question as Karl. Why?" asked Tessa.

"Want to have some fun in town?" asked Helm with a wicked grin.

A few days later Doctor Helm and Tessa sat at the cantina in the pueblo. Karl rode up on Ham and dismounted. One of the soldiers on town patrol saw a person in black with long hair and wearing a red sash and sword sit down at a table with Helm and Senorita Alvarado. He ran to find Grisham.

Grisham came out of his quarters at the soldier’s insistence and saw the chestnut stallion with the fancy saddle. Grisham pulled his sword and approached the cantina as the soldier ran for Montoya.

"I knew you would make a mistake Reina," said Grisham as he grabbed the black shirted figure.

Grisham was taken off guard as the figure turned around and swung his fist, connecting with Grisham’s chin. Grisham went flew off the cantina’s porch and landed on the ground. He shook his head as blood ran from his split lip. He jumped up quickly without looking at the figure.

"Now you will die, Reina," he said as he looked into the bearded face of Karl.

"The Queen of Swords is a man?" stammered Grisham.

"On the contrary, Corporal. I am your executioner," replied Karl as he pulled out his sword.

"Hold it!" yelled Montoya as he came up to the two men. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Your Captain of the guards challenged me, Colonel. It is my duty to kill him."

"A soldier claimed that the Queen of Swords was at the cantina, and I find you challenging a visitor. Grisham what has gotten into you?" asked Montoya.

"Look at the way he is dressed. Look at his horse."

"I have met Senor Bornehorst before. He has recently arrived from Texas and he has some very powerful friends. I received a letter yesterday from Monterey. We are to offer our hospitality to Senor Bornehorst," said Montoya.

Grisham replaced his sword, as did Karl.

"Senor, why didn’t you mention that you knew not only Senor Bowie but also Senor Houston?" asked Montoya.

"You didn’t ask Colonel. As I told you I am looking for two men. I didn’t know this perro called Grisham, but I know his face. He ran off in the midst of battle taking a wagon with all of our powder instead of fighting. We were lucky to fight off the enemy with our rifle butts and swords."

"This was in New Orleans against the British?"

"No against the Creek Indians before New Orleans. We lost ten men thanks to his cowardice. I swore I would kill him."

"I never fought the Creeks," replied Grisham massaging his jaw. "I was in New Orleans."

"Then I apologize. You could be twins. Why did you attack me?"

"You look like the Queen of Swords," replied Grisham.

"The Queen of Swords has a beard? I understood her to be a very shapely and beautiful woman."

"She is very beautiful and very shapely. I would like to--"

"Captain!" yelled Montoya and Helm at Grisham at the same time.

Grisham looked at the two men. "What? Helm you play pattycake with her and Colonel I know you find her attractive also."

"Whether or not I find her attractive and whether or not she is a bandita, we do not speak of such things in public and in front or a Senorita. Remember your place, Captain," said Montoya.

"But Colonel," stammered Grisham.

"No buts, Captain. Now apologize to Senorita Alvarado and to our guest," replied Montoya.

"I apologize Senorita Alvarado for any remarks I made that may have offended you," said Grisham while making a low bow.

"Almost everything you say offends me, Captain, but I accept your apology, this time," replied Tessa.

Grisham looked at Karl and mumbled something.

"I didn’t catch that Captain," said Karl.

"Sorry," replied Grisham.

"Sorry for the attack, sorry that I decked you or sorry that your Colonel won’t allow you to duke this out?"

"You are willing to have your grievance settled mano o mano?" asked Montoya.

"Why not Colonel, a little fisticuffs is good for the soul," replied Karl.

The men walked into the garrison area and Grisham started taking off his shirt. Grisham tossed his shirt to a soldier and straightened his suspenders over his naked chest.

Karl gave his sword and pistol to Doctor Helm as Tessa walked up beside the Doctor.

"If he grabs a pistol, kill him. If he grabs a sword, throw me mine," Karl said to Helm in English.

Grisham looked at Karl and Helm and saw Helm nod with a smile.

"Aren’t you going to remove your shirt?" asked Tessa.

"I don’t want to embarrass the Captain," grinned Karl.

Tessa mentally compared the two men and remembered Karl as he came out of the stream. A blush started to creep over her face.

The two men moved to the center of the parade ground. Grisham suddenly swung at Karl, but all he found was air. He turned and caught a right cross thrown by Karl. Grisham’s head rocked back but he stayed on his feet. Grisham closed on Karl but stopped when Karl threw a flurry of jabs at Grisham’s face and stomach.

Grisham backed up. Blood flowed from his lip, a gash in his right cheek and a gash above his left eye. Sweat rolled down his face. Not a single punch had landed on Karl. Karl dodged a roundhouse punch and grabbed Grisham’s arm as he flipped the Captain onto the dirt.

Grisham got up and threw a handful of dirt into Karl’s face and then charged him. He threw several punches into Karl’s upper torso and three to the head. Karl turned away from Grisham and threw back his foot at chest level, knocking the air out of the Captain.

Wiping the dirt out of his eyes, he waited for Grisham. Grisham suddenly ran to a watching soldier and grabbed the man’s sword. Karl looked to Helm as the Doctor tossed Karl’s sword to the unarmed man.

Karl caught Grisham’s stroke on the flat part of his sword. The force of the two blades slamming together jarred each man’s arm. With the blades inches apart, each man made a swirling motion, occasionally hitting together. The sound of steel on steel rang throughout the pueblo.

Suddenly, Grisham struck with the rapier, but Karl’s heavier cavalry saber moved it aside easily. With a quick turn around and powerful swing, Karl’s saber struck the rapier that Grisham had hastily raised to block the strike.

A sudden gasp from the watchers was heard as the rapier was shattered at the hilt, leaving Grisham unarmed. Karl swung his saber at Grisham’s stomach and then at Grisham’s neck before stopping a half-inch from the terrified Captain.

"No!’ cried Tessa as she turned her head so she wouldn’t see the inevitable separation of Grisham’s head from his shoulders.

Karl looked down and started to laugh. Grisham looked down to see that suspenders had been cut and his pants had fallen down. He also felt that his crotch was wet.

Still laughing, Karl walked back over to Helm and Montoya. He gathered his possession and with Helm on one side and Tessa on the other walked out of the garrison area.

Laughter from the crowd could still be heard as Grisham walked away to his quarters. He looked up to see Vera standing there with a fan covering her face, except for the eyes. The laughter in Vera’s eyes was even more devastating to Grisham than his defeat to Karl.

"Yep," said Karl. "Today was a good day for a bout of fisticuffs."

Montoya watched with a gleam in his eye. \It seems to me that Grisham had the same thing happen to him before. I wonder, \ he thought.

A week later Grisham led a patrol guarding a gold shipment to Monterey. Two outriders rode two hundred yards in front of the coach while Grisham and six soldiers rode behind. One of the outriders suddenly raced back to Grisham.

"Captain. The Queen of Swords," said the soldier.

"Get her," he called to his men and led the seven soldiers and the other outrider on a chase. Just out of rifle range was the black clothed rider raced away, long dark hair flowing away from the upper torso. Even at the quarter mile distance separating the Queen from the soldiers, Grisham could see the sun glare off of the silver on the Queen’s tack.

They raced across open grasslands, through fields and then into the hills before the soldiers lost sight of the Queen and the hard packed ground hid the tracks.

Grisham led his men back to the El Camino Real to join up with the coach. They found the coach with the horses grazing a mile away. The driver and guard sat on the boot, tied up. The gold was gone.

Grisham didn’t even bother to ask as he found a rapier stuck into the coach door, hold a tarot card of the Queen of Swords. He swore as he pulled the rapier out of the wooden door.

Grisham ordered the coach to return to Santa Elena while he led his men to the Alvarado Hacienda. Grisham dismounted when he arrived and kicked in the door of the hacienda and led his men into the parlor.

"Captain Grisham, what is the meaning of this invasion? Haven’t you learned anything?" asked a furious Tessa.

"Shut up, Senorita, where is that bastard?" demanded Grisham.

"You are the only one fitting that description, Captain. Now get out of my house," ordered Tessa coming up to the Captain.

Grisham pushed Tessa backwards, which caused her to fall back and hit her head on an end table.

The next thing Grisham knew he was looking down the barrel of a pistol and the person holding it was an irate and angry Colonel Montoya.

"Colonel? What are you doing here?" asked a stuttering and embarrassed Grisham.

"I have been visiting Senorita Alvarado and Senor Bornehorst for the last hour."

"Two hours ago the Queen of Swords and Bornehorst robbed the coach. There was plenty of time for him to get here," said Grisham.

"That may be true, however I rode here with both Senorita Alvarado and Senor Bornehorst from Santa Elena. I have been with them all morning."

Montoya glanced into the parlor and saw Tessa sitting on the floor, blood oozing from a cut on her head. Marta knelt beside her with a towel trying to stop the bleeding.

"Corporal, arrest Captain Grisham and hold him in the jail until I return. Corporal, also send Doctor Helm here."

Grisham saw Tessa on the floor and his faced turned pale and the thought of what he had done. "Senorita, I am sorry, I didn’t mean for you to get hurt," said Grisham with a dazed look on his face.

Two soldiers disarmed Grisham and led him away as Montoya went to Tessa. Karl walked into the hacienda through the front door. He saw what was going on as he passed Grisham leaving. With a quick right hook, Karl connected with Grisham’s chin and sent the American to the floor. Grisham did not get up.

"He is knocked out," said the Corporal with a snide grin.

"Haul that trash out of here," said Karl. "Before I kill him."

Tessa had finally gotten up and sat on the settee.

"Colonel, I hope you will finally do something about that, that –-," said Tessa.

""Senorita, don’t sully your tongue by continuing," said Karl.

Turning to Montoya Karl said, "Colonel, give him to me for five minutes."

"I am afraid I cannot do that Senor as then I would have to arrest you for murder."

"It would not be murder, it would be an execution," said Karl.

"It does sound like an interesting proposition, however I must deny your request," replied Montoya.

Marta led Tessa to the young Dona’s bedroom to wait for Helm. Montoya left shortly afterward and ran into Helm on the way to the hacienda.

"You made good time, Doctor. I just sent a soldier to get you."

"I have a lunch date with Senorita Alvarado, Colonel. Why would you need me? Who is hurt?" asked Helm.

"Senorita Alvarado has been –-," Montoya was cut short as the Doctor had already put his heels to his horse and was racing away.

Helm raced to the hacienda and dismounted his horse before the animal came to a complete stop. He raced into the hacienda without knocking and looked into the parlor. Finding no one, he went to Tessa’s bedroom. Marta and Karl stood on opposite sides of the bed. Tessa lay propped up on the bed with a wet towel on her head.

Helm immediate examined his patient.

"How did this happen?" asked Helm.

"That bastard Grisham hit me," replied Tessa. "Ouch that hurt."

"Sorry Tessa, but I had to add a stitch to Marta’s wonderful work.

"You men. Karl burns me and you sew me up. Did you two go to the school of burn and sew?" asked Tessa.

"I was a tailor in a former life," snickered Helm.

"I was a cook," grinned Karl.

"Great, two comedians," growled Tessa.

"It is a good thing you have such a hard head, Tessa," said Marta.

Tessa slid down into her bed and covered her head. "Not you too," cried Tessa.

Helm, Karl and Marta chuckled and left the room.

"Rest Tessa," said Helm as he closed the door.

Several hours later Tessa awoke and went to the kitchen and found her three cohorts sitting at the table eating.

"What does a girl have to do to get fed around here?"

Helm and Karl jumped up and each took an arm and helped her sit down. Marta got as plate and dished up some food.

"A girl could get used to this, but I would rather not have a headache," said Tessa.

"Don’t get used to it," grinned Marta.

"I take it from Grisham’s reaction that the operation went well?" asked Tessa.

"Better than expected," replied Helm. "That wig that Marta made was perfect. While I led the soldiers away on Karl’s horse, Marta relieved the two guards of the gold."

"I wish I could have seen that, but the look on Grisham’s face when Montoya pulled a gun on him was priceless," said Marta.

"The last thing Grisham expected was to have Montoya as our alibi," laughed Karl.

"I think that calls for a toast," said Helm.

Marta retrieved a bottle of wine and poured it into four glasses.

"Here is to alibis," said Helm as all four raised their glasses.

Colonel Montoya sat behind his desk reading when two soldiers escorted Grisham into the office.

Montoya ignored him for a minute then looked up at the American.

"Grisham, you have done some very stupid things, but attacking Senorita Alvarado in her own home has got to be the stupidest. No The second stupidest. Trying to withhold medicine from me was the stupidest. I have to make an example of you Captain. I have a few choices. I can hang you, turn you over to the Dons, turn you over to Senor Bornehorst."

Grisham stood up straighter.

Montoya laughed. "Yes Captain, Senor Bornehorst asked to have five minutes with you alone. I denied that request."

Grisham relaxed a bit.

"The other choice is something I read in the US Army handbook. I think they call it ‘buck and gag’. Ah I see you are familiar with it. It is used for insubordination."

Sweat rolled down Grisham’s face.

"Yes buck and gag and forfeiture of two months pay and two weeks cleaning the garrison stables," smiled Montoya. "Get him out of here," Montoya said to the guards.

Four hours later Tessa rode into town with Marta. As Marta stopped the buckboard, she saw Grisham sitting in the dirt hands tied in front of him. A musket went under his knees and over his arms. A bayonet was in his mouth sideways and tied with a string behind his head.

The sun was blazing hot and Grisham his sweating profusely. Tessa went to see Montoya.

"Please Colonel, I think the Captain has been punished enough for striking me."

"Senorita, he was fined two months pay and two weeks cleaning stables for striking you. The buck and gag is for insubordination towards me," said Montoya seriously.

"Please Colonel," begged Tessa.

"Under the circumstances, Senorita I will release him. You have a compassionate soul. You could have been a barrister for the defense."

"Thank you Colonel, for your comments and for releasing Grisham. Just keep him off my lands."

"If he steps foot on your lands again, you can do what ever you want with him. Just don’t kill him," smiled Montoya crookedly.

Tessa walked out of the Colonel’s office and went to Helm’s office to have the stitches removed. She glanced at Grisham and saw that he was watching her. Two soldiers came to him and released him. Grisham was helped up and nodded to Tessa and mouthed the words. "Thank you."

Tessa closed the door to Helm’s office as was grabbed from behind and turned around suddenly. A pair of lips pressed against hers and she melted into Doctor Helm.

The end