They left the palace secretly, under the charge of Cuitcatl, who had litters in readiness for them; and started for his house, which he placed at their disposal.

None save two attendants, whom they took with them, knew that they had left; and should the usurper seek for them--which, Cuitcatl agreed with me, is not likely to be the case, as he will have enough to occupy his time and thoughts--it will be long before he can find whither they have gone.
"I must tell you, Prince, that the queen last night opened the secret treasury, and took with her a considerable amount of the gold ornaments and the precious stones; so that she should have the means, if opportunity occur, of offering bribes either to the nobles of Tezcuco, or to your guards here." "I would I were free but for an hour," Cacama said passionately.

"I would make an example of the treacherous nobles who betrayed us.
The queen has done well, in going to the secret chamber.

It was to be kept for an emergency, and never was there a greater emergency for Tezcuco than now.

Still, there were a large number of jewels in the public treasury, which she might have taken without breaking in upon the hoard." "She thought that Cuicuitzca would, on his arrival, inquire from the chief of the treasury if everything was untouched.