Spanish oaths.

"Dog! If you were my equal socially I would challenge you!" he
spluttered.

"If you were my equal physically I would punch your head," was the apt
reply of the American. "Now, let's hear this opinion which you were so
anxious to tell to my face."

There was a humorous twinkle in the dark eyes of the Princess, and
Warren observed, down the passageway to the private stateroom, the
smiling face of Nita, the maid.

"Well, Mr. Warren ... I ... merely ... said that I know you to be what
you Yankees call a humbug! For some purposes of your own--perhaps to
attempt a theft of this imaginary fortune, you are trying to get to
Seguro ... However," and at the quiet interest on the face of Jarvis he
was emboldened to make his statements more emphatic, "I have my doubts
about your honesty in the whole matter."

"And that means what, your Excellency?"

"I don't believe you even intend to risk the chances in Spain. You have
duped my cousin, a helpless, innocent girl--ignorant of the sharp ways
of American adventurers. You have secured a free passage on this ship,
and doubtless an advance payment, to engage you. I would wager anything
that you will never see Spain, in this case."

Jarvis smiled ingratiatingly.

"You are a clever student of character. Such men make good gamblers.
How much are you willing to wager on this little affair? How much will
you bet that I do not appear in Spain?"

The Duke of Alva bit his lip. He had lost too much in recent gamings to
afford greater risks just now. But he was a sportsman--particularly did
he wish to impress his kinswoman.

"I will wager a thousand pounds of English money,--five thousand
dollars in your American rags,--that you will not appear at Seguro in
time to help the Princess."

"That's a great deal of money, especially for a hard-working business
man like myself," answered Warren. "What are the exact stipulations of
this wager? I might borrow the money from the Princess, as an advance
payment for breaking the ghost?"

Carlos sneered exultantly.

"Yes, you might borrow it but there is not so much ready money around
Seguro. My terms, if you care to know them, are these: I wager the
thousand pounds that you will not be at Seguro three nights from
to-morrow--the time when we will arrive, according to the train
schedule. However, why should I waste talk, with a man, on a bet which
is not for tradesmen but for gentlemen?"

"Who would hold the stakes?"

The Duk