The identity of Zorro is a much debated topic- especially among his victims- and there is a large bounty on his head, dead or alive. *Spoiler Alert* (although, since the work is over 100 years old, one shouldn't be necessary) Zorro is actually Don Diego Vega, 25 year old son of the very wealthy and influential Don Alejandro Vega. He is- by design- perceived to be a poor-spirited weakling, in a country that prizes machismo. He is low energy and complains of fatigue whenever he has to ride horseback anywhere, preferring to be ferried about in a carriage. He dislikes violence or exertion and refrains from the fighting and duelling so common among the young men of his class. My grandmother used to refer to anyone who didn't like to work as having been "born tired" and that pretty well describes Don Diego. This is, obviously, a smokescreen to prevent people from knowing that Diego is a skilled rider and brilliant swordsman, and putting two and two together. Indeed, Don Diego even maintains a friendship of sorts with the coarse and corrupt Sergeant Gonzales, professing to like his bragging tales of triumph over his enemies... as long as the stories aren't too violent in nature: too much talk of gratuitous violence makes Don Diego feel unwell. Gonzales in turn can't figure out how Zorro always seems to know where he and his men will be- or not, as the case may be.
Soon though, Don Diego has even more competition for Lolita's hand. Captain Ramon, the new barracks commander at Reina de Los Angeles, sees Lolita and becomes enamoured of her though she thinks he's a creep. He's also determined to catch Zorro, especially after the bandit defeats him in a swordfight, making him appear a fool in front of Lolita and her parents. Later, while the Pulido's are staying at Don Diego's home, while Lolita is there alone one evening (Diego is away and her parents have gone to a friend's house for dinner) Ramon barges into the house, ignoring the pleas of the servants, and attempts to seduce her with more force than charm. As she struggles to escape him, Zorro appears and puts a beating Ramon which is as satisfying as it is deserved. After literally booting the captain out the door, Zorro and Lolita share a tender scene, ending with her vowing to marry no one but him. This further complicates the Diego/Zorro & Lolita romance, and also causes Ramon's infatuation to turn to bitter hatred. He's now obsessed with killing Zorro, and also plots to falsely incriminate Don Carlos with working against the governor, to take revenge on the whole Pulido family for his humiliation.
Will Lolita realize that Zorro is actually Diego? Will anyone else? And will the combined forces of Captain Ramon, Sergeant Gonzales, and their men manage to take down Senor Zorro, the Curse of Capistrano? If you don't know, you should probably read the book. Heck, even if you do know, you should read the book- it's all kinds of fun.