erusal of the
letters. They are from many correspondents, and relate to various
matters, most about money and _monte_, signed "Faustino Calderon."

As the last of them slips through his fingers, he breathes freely, but
with a sigh of self-reproach for having doubted the woman who was to
have been his wife.

Turning to Cadwallader--as himself aware of all--he says, in solemn
emphasis:

"_Now we know_!"

CHAPTER SEVENTY THREE.

THE LAST LEAF IN THE LOG.

No common pirates then, no mere crew of mutinous sailors, have carried
off Carmen Montijo and Inez Alvarez. It has been done by Francisco de
Lara and Faustino Calderon, if or although there is no evidence of the
latter having been aboard the barque, it is deducible, and not even
doubtful. For a scheme such as that, the confederates were not likely
to have parted.

The young officers have returned to the quarterdeck, and there stand
gazing in one another's faces; on both an expression of anguish, which
the new discovery has intensified. It was painful enough to think of
their betrothed sweethearts being the sport of rough robbers; but to
picture them in the power of De Lara and Calderon--knowing what they do
of these men--is agony itself.

"Yes; it's all clear," says Crozier. "No idea of getting gold has
brought the thing about. That may have influenced the others who
assisted them; but with them the motive was different--I see it now."

"Do you know, Ned, I half suspected it from the first. You remember
what I said as we were leaving San Francisco. After what happened
between us and the gamblers, I had my fears about our girls being left
in the same place with them. Still, who'd have thought of their
following them aboard ship? Above all, with Blew there, and after his
promise to protect them! You remember him saying, he would lay down his
life for theirs?"

"He swore it--to me he swore it. Oh! if ever I set eyes on him again,
I'll make him suffer for that broken oath!"

"What do you propose doing, after we reach Panama? If we find the
frigate there, we'll be obliged to join her."

"Obliged! there's no obligation to bind a man situated as I--reckless as
this misery makes me. Unless Captain Bracebridge consents to assist us
in the search, I'll go alone."

"Not alone. There's one will be with you."

"I know it, Will. Of course, I count upon you. What I mean is, if
Bracebridge won't help us with the frigate. I'll throw up my
commissi