dds the Biscayan, speaking _sotto-voce_, "I wish to ship the gold
as soon as possible, and without attracting attention to it. You
understand me, captain?"

"I do."

"I shall have it brought aboard at night, in a boat which belongs to
Silvestre. It will be safer in your cabin than anywhere else--since no
one need be the wiser about the place of deposit."

"No one shall, through me."

"That I feel certain of, Senor Lantanas. Don Tomas is your endorser;
and would be willing to be your bondsman, were it needed--which it is
not."

Again the _Condor's_ captain bows in acknowledgment of the confidence
reposed in him; and after some further exchange of speech, respecting
the shipment of the treasure, and the writing out an advertisement,
which Don Gregorio is to _get_ inserted in the _Diario_, the latter
returns to his boat, and is rowed back to the shore; while the Chilian
lights a fresh cigarette, and with elbows rested on the capstan-head,
resumes his customary attitude of _insouciance_, from which he had been
temporarily roused.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

IN SEARCH OF A SECOND.

Just about the time Don Gregorio is taking leave of Captain Lantanas,
the two unwelcome, as unreceived, visitors are turning their backs upon
his house.

De Lara feels his discomfiture the keenest. His heart is harrowed with
mingled emotions--passions of varied complexion, all evil. His lips are
livid with rage, his brow black with chagrin, while his eyes fairly
scintillate with unsatisfied vengeance.

While returning along the avenue he neither looks back, nor up. Not a
syllable escapes him; with glance upon the ground, he rides in sullen
silence.

After clearing the entrance-gate, and again upon the outside road, he
turns face toward the dwelling whose hospitality has been so insultingly
denied him. He sees nought there to soothe, but something which still
further afflicts him. Four horses are filing out through the front
gate, conducted by grooms. They are saddled, bridled, ready for being
mounted. To his practised eye, their caparison tells that they are
intended only for a short excursion, not a journey. And though their
saddles are in shape nearly alike, he knows that two of them are to be
mounted by men, the other two to carry ladies.

"The senoritas are going out for a ride--a _paseo de campo_--accompanied
by their English guests," observes Calderon.

Simultaneously, as instinctively, de Lara arrives at this conclu