rief order, and returned.

"Then, if you did not intend the honor of this visit for me," he
resumed, with a smile, "may I ask, my dear fellow, whom you expected
to meet, and on what ship? There are not so many at Todos Santos, if my
memory serves me right, as to create confusion."

"I must decline to answer that question," said Hurlstone curtly.

The Senor smiled, with an accession of his old gentleness.

"My dear young friend," he said, "have you forgotten that on a far more
important occasion to YOU, I showed no desire to pry into your secret?"
Hurlstone made a movement of deprecation. "Nor have I any such desire
now. But for the sake of our coming to an understanding as friends,
let me answer the question for you. You are here, my dear fellow, as
a messenger from the Mission of Todos Santos to the Ecclesiastical
Commission from Guadalajara, whose ship touches here every three years.
It is now due. You have mistaken this vessel for theirs."

Hurlstone remained silent.

"It is no secret," continued Senor Perkins blandly; "nor shall I pretend
to conceal MY purpose here, which is on the invitation of certain
distressed patriots of Todos Santos, to assist them in their deliverance
from the effete tyranny of the Church and its Government. I have been
fortunate enough to anticipate the arrival of your vessel, as you were
fortunate enough to anticipate the arrival of my messenger. I am doubly
fortunate, as it gives me the pleasure of your company this evening,
and necessitates no further trouble than the return of the boat for the
other gentleman--which has already gone. Doubtless you may know him."

"I must warn you again, Senor Perkins," said Hurlstone sternly, "that
I have no connection with any political party; nor have I any sympathy
with your purpose against the constituted authorities."

"I am willing to believe that you have no political affinities at all,
my dear Mr. Hurlstone," returned Perkins, with unruffled composure,
"and, consequently, we will not argue as to what is the constituted
authority of Todos Santos. Perhaps to-morrow it may be on board THIS
SHIP, and I may still have the pleasure of making you at home here!"

"Until then," said Hurlstone dryly, "at least you will allow me to
repair my error by returning to the shore."

"For the moment I hardly think it would be wise," replied Perkins
gently. "Allowing that you escaped the vigilance of my friends on the
shore, whose suspicions you have arous