se stir heaven and
earth to maintain his position."

"I thought as much," said Lawrence; "you see that his friend here may
have very little power to assist him in asserting his rights. Give me
back the paper. I keep all my valuables in this cavern; there is no
place so safe, for there is little chance of fire, and still less likely
are thieves to break in and steal."

Lawrence pointed to several other chests, but he seemed in no way
disposed to exhibit any more of his treasures, whatever they were. The
lieutenant, indeed, proposed returning forthwith to the castle.
Lawrence having charged Surly Grind to keep strict watch and ward over
his storehouse, they set off to return by the same way they had come.

Not long after this Pedro received the long-looked-for remittance from
Spain, and prepared for his departure from Shetland. When he went to
pay his adieus to Hilda, he dropped on one knee, and taking her hand,
respectfully pressed it to his lips, while he silently repeated his
oath, to exert himself to the utmost in the cause of her and her child.
Accompanied by Lawrence, he then set off for Lerwick, whence he
immediately embarked on board a vessel bound for London. He was much
regretted by all the inhabitants of Lunnasting, but more especially by
Hilda, who, although not aware of the extent of his devotion to her
cause, felt that she had lost one of the few friends on whom she could
depend for counsel and assistance.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

FATHER MENDEZ IN SPAIN--THE MARQUIS AND HIS OLD SHIPMATES--CAPTAIN TACON
THE EX-PIRATE.

Father Mendez, on reaching Lerwick, found a vessel about to sail for
Leith. He might probably have taken a courteous farewell of the
inhabitants of Lunnasting, had he not wished to steal a march on Pedro
Alvarez. He had discovered that the worthy lieutenant suspected his
designs, and would, if he had the power, counteract them; he therefore
resolved to deprive him, forthwith, of that power. The Inquisition,
that admirable institution for the destruction of heresy, existed in
full force in those days in Spain, and the father well knew that if he
could induce its officials to lay hands on his rival that he would give
him no further trouble. The father reached Leith in safety, and thence
was able to proceed on, without loss of time, direct to Cadiz. Not far
off from that fair city was the magnificent mansion of the Marquis de
Medea. The father, on landing, did not at once hasten to