ir
mantillas.

From the band-stand blared the national air. Natives and foreigners
sauntered idly, taking their pleasure with languid ease. But Rodman
kept to the less conspicuous sides and the shadows of the arcade, and
Saxon walked with him, unseeing and deeply miserable.

Between the electric glare of the plaza and the first arc-light of the
_Calle Bolivar_ is a corner comparatively dark. Here, the men met two
army officers in conversation. Near them waited a handful of
soldiers. As the Americans came abreast, an officer fell in on either
side of them.

"Pardon, senors," said one, speaking in Spanish with extreme
politeness, "but it is necessary that we ask you to accompany us to
the Palace."

The soldiers had fallen in behind, following. Now, they separated, and
some of them came to the front, so that the two men found themselves
walking in a hollow square. Rodman halted.

"What does this signify?" he demanded in a voice of truculent
indignation. "We are citizens of the United States!"

"I exceedingly deplore the inconvenience," declared the officer. "At
the Palace, I have no doubt, it will be explained."

"I demand that we be taken first to the United States Legation,"
insisted Rodman.

The officer regretfully shook his head. "Doubtless, senors," he
assured them, "your legation will be immediately communicated with. I
have no authority to deviate from my orders."

CHAPTER X

At the Palace, the Americans were separated. Saxon was ushered into a
small room, barely furnished. Its one window was barred, and the one
door that penetrated its thick wall was locked from the outside. It
seemed incredible that under such stimulus his memory should remain
torpid. This must be an absolute echo from the past--yet, he could not
remember. But Rodman remembered--and evidently the government
remembered.

About the same hour, Mr. Partridge called at the "Frances y Ingles,"
where he learned that Senor Saxon had gone out. He called again late
in the evening. Saxon had not returned.

The following morning, the Hon. Charles Pendleton, Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, read
Saxon's letters of introduction. The letters sufficiently established
the standing of the artist to assure him his minister's interest.
Partridge was dispatched to the hotel to bring the traveler to the
legation. Partridge came back within the hour, greatly perturbed.
Having found that Saxon had