As we entered the cabin, I could hear the two soldiers taking up their
places as sentries at the door.

"I wish to see your passport, Senhor," said he, as he seated himself at
the table.

"My passport shall be produced at the fitting time," said I, "when I
arrive on shore. Here I have no need of any."

"You are wrong, sir; once within that circle of buoys, at the mouth of
the port, you are within the limits of the shore authorities; but were
it even otherwise, these are not the times for scruples, and I, for one,
would not hesitate to arrest you on the information I have received."

"Information you have received, sir!" exclaimed I, in terror and
amazement.

"Yes, sir; I may as well tell you that Malaga is not in the possession
of your friends,--you will not find a Carlist garrison ready to give
you a salute of honor at your landing. Far less formal, but not less
peremptory attentions await you. But produce your papers, for I have no
time to lose."

I saw at a glance that my position was most perilous, and as rapidly
resolved to make an effort for safety. "Senhor Capitana," said I,
placing an open pocket-book stuffed with bank-notes before him, "please
to accept my passport, and to keep it in your own safe possession. I
shall put to sea again, and order the captain to land me at some port in
Italy."

"It is too late," said he, with a sigh, as he pushed the pocket-book
away; "the informations against you are already transmitted to Madrid."

"Great heavens! and for whom do they take me?" cried I.

"I cannot tell; I never heard. I only know that I have the order for
your arrest as the person assuming to be 'the Conde Cregano.'"

"What crime is laid to my charge? Have I defrauded any one? What is
alleged against me?"

"Show me your passport," said he again.

"There it is," said I, producing the document which by Don Estaban's
intervention I had obtained from the authorities of Guajuaqualla, and
wherein I was called a native of Grenada and a noble of Spain.

"And all this is true as set forth?" said the officer.

"It is a principle of law in my native land that no prisoner is called
upon to criminate himself," said I.

"In that case you are no Spaniard," said the officer, Shrewdly, "nor,
indeed, does your accent so bespeak you. You are now under arrest."
He opened the door as he said this, and, pointing me out to the two
sentries, whispered something too low for me to overhear. This done, he
left the c