by MaryAnn Beverly
Diego looked up from the guitar he was restringing when Bernardo came
bursting through the door with a noisy clatter.
"Good heavens!" Diego exclaimed. "What in the world happened?"
Bernardo began a rapid succession of signs and signals. Diego's eyes danced
from Bernardo's right hand to the left as he tried to guess what his mozo was
saying. A furrow creased his brow, and he held up his own hand.
"I'm sorry, but you are speaking far too quickly. Please slow down and begin
again."
Bernardo sighed with frustration. Most of the time his inability to speak
didn't bother him. There were occasions, however, when the inconvenience
was almost unbearable. He began a series of signs again, this time with great
care and deliberation. Diego spoke aloud as he interpreted Bernardo's
gestures.
"You were in the tavern with Sergeant Garcia. That is hardly news, my friend!
Oh, and there was a stranger there as well? All right, go on," Diego nodded
when Bernardo paused. "You meandered over so that you could hear what the
man was saying? Good, fellow! Wait. To whom was he speaking?"
Bernardo made the established gesture he used to indicate Basilio. He
grimaced, and Diego raised an eyebrow. "This grows more interesting," Diego
nodded. "What did the stranger have to say to our esteemed man from Spain?"
Bernardo began to gesture again.
"Two knocks mean enter?" Diego was puzzled. "Two knocks where? And by
whom? Is that all you heard?" Bernardo nodded yes and pointed to the secret
room.
"You think Zorro should ride?" Diego asked with a soft laugh. "Very well. But
tell me, to where? For what reason?" He saw Bernardo's crestfallen faced and
laughed again with indulgent fondness.
"Let us do this, my friend. You and I will go back to the tavern. I will sit
with Sergeant Garcia and ply him with wine. I will learn what I can from him,
and if the stranger is still there, perhaps you can overhear more of his
conversation. Agreed?"
Bernardo nodded happily and opened the door for his master. What he had
been unable to describe, what had frightened him so badly, was the wild look
in the stranger's eye. He also didn't like the look in Basil's eyes as he
listened. He followed Diego out the door, relieved that Zorro would soon see
for himself what new terror had arrived in their pueblo.
************** end part 1 *************
