tion of the
outrage. Of course, they saw things on the surface only. Soon our
Consul-General Torbet arrived, and assured me he would see that I should
be treated with every consideration until such time as the unfortunate
mistake was corrected.

That night I slept at the hotel with Curtin and his two companions for
roommates. Mr. P. took his wound and close call very good naturedly, and
said he did not blame me at all, but felt taken down to think I had got
the drop on him. Early the next morning my friend, the chief of police,
Col. Moreno de Vascos, called on me, indignant and angry that I should
suffer such discourtesy. He was particularly indignant over the insult
to himself in not being consulted, so that he could have sent me a note
to call on him and explain. Then he turned to Pinkerton and told him to
liberate me, as he would be responsible for me whenever wanted. But the
captain knew what he was about, and knew his business too well and the
backing he had to pay any attention to Col. Vascos. I claimed the
protection of our Consul, but Torbet regretfully told me that on account
of the orders Pinkerton bore from the State Department at Washington he
was forced to consent to my detention, but he would not permit me to be
kept in the ordinary prison. So about 12 o'clock next day I was
transferred to the police barracks, and put into the lieutenant of
police's room and a guard of soldiers placed over me.

The New York Herald of the next day contained the following:

(Editorial, New York Herald, Feb. 26, 1873.)

"CUBAN AFFAIRS--BIDWELL'S IMPRISONMENT.

"The special telegraphic advices which we publish to-day in
reference to the arrest and imprisonment at Havana of Bidwell, one
of the parties accused of the recent forgeries on the Bank of
England, are very interesting, touching the jurisdiction of the
Island authorities in this matter. It appears that Bidwell was
arrested at the request of the British Government on the
supposition that he was a British subject; but it is represented
that he is a citizen of the United States of America, and that his
arrest in Cuba is not justified by any extradition treaty with
England, nor by any authority, except that of the Captain-General,
whose will over the Island is the supreme law. If it can be
established that Bidwell is a citizen of the United States his case
certainly calls for the intervention of