half; and Jim was
just about to pass some comment on the distance when his guide turned to
the right and plunged into a narrow and gloomy side-street, the
appearance of which filled Douglas with aversion, although at that time
no suspicion of treachery entered his mind. He soon noticed, however,
that his guide, whose name, it transpired, was Manuel Lopes, was taking
him up one narrow street and down another in a most extraordinary
fashion, and that they seemed to be getting into a particularly low
quarter of the town.

Jim had just made up his mind to question Lopes as to whether he was
quite sure of the way, when the latter stopped before a large white-
painted building with green shutters, and led his companion in through a
high and wide archway into a kind of courtyard, the like of which is
nearly always to be found in large houses in both Old and New Spain.

"This looks as though it might be the residence of some official or
other," mused Jim; "but what an extraordinary quarter of the town the
governor seems to have selected for his dwelling! However, I suppose he
knows his own business best, and--"

"Will you be pleased to follow me, senor?" here broke in the guide
Lopes, bowing in an obsequious manner, and leading the way across the
_patio_ to where a heavy door gave entrance into a part of the building
which overlooked the courtyard.

Jim tucked his sword under his arm and followed the fellow into a room
which seemed, to him coming out of the brilliant sunlight, to be
shrouded in darkness.

"Have the goodness to take a chair, senor," smiled Lopes, pushing one of
those articles forward for Jim, "while I go and ascertain whether His
Excellency will see you."

Jim accepted the proffered chair but, somewhat nettled by a certain
curious change in the man's voice, remarked: "But, senor, I have come
ashore expressly to see the _intendente_; and see him I must; my orders
are imperative!"

"Oh, I assure you there will be no difficulty whatever on that score,"
replied Lopes. "Kindly excuse me for a few minutes while I announce
your arrival."

Jim bowed; and his guide walked quickly out of the room, slamming the
heavy door somewhat sharply behind him. Douglas heard him pause for a
few seconds, and then step sharply across the stone-flagged _patio_,
from the other side of which he fancied he heard the sound of a low
laugh and some words spoken in an undertone. But he paid no particular
attention to the matte