Anibal de Villavicencio. He was aware that
possession is nine-tenths of the law, and that he must expect to have a
very tough battle to fight.

"Never fear for the consequences," said he to his legal adviser. "I
have neither wife nor child, nor any one depending on me, and as long as
I have a silver piece belonging to me, I will expend it in claiming the
rights of that poor child."

Having just given expression to this virtuous resolution as he was
leaving the lawyer's door, he found himself standing face to face with
Father Mendez.

The priest looked narrowly at the house. He recollected that a
well-known lawyer lived there. What could the rough lieutenant want
with him? He jumped at a conclusion, which was not far from the truth;
still his countenance wore its usual calm and inexpressive look.

"Ha! my old shipmate! I did not expect to see you so soon in our own
well-beloved native land," he exclaimed. "These are stirring times, and
you did well to return: you will not be long on shore, however, I
conclude?"

"Not long enough to lose my sea legs or sea manners," answered Pedro,
bluntly.

"Have you another appointment yet, my friend?" asked the priest.

"My superiors think me too useful to allow me to remain long
unemployed," replied Pedro.

"That is well: take the advice of a friend, and attend to your own
duties," said the priest, in a suppressed tone, sinking at last to a
whisper; "you will but burn your fingers if you interfere where you have
no concern."

"Thank you for your hint, most astute priest. Then you guess what I am
about," thought Pedro, but he did not speak aloud. He only tried to
look totally unconscious of what Father Mendez could possibly mean. He
did not succeed as well as he wished or fancied that he had done, and
the father saw that it would be necessary to watch him very narrowly, to
counteract any scheme he might attempt to carry into execution.

The lieutenant, meantime, fancied that he had outwitted the priest, and
continued with the greatest energy to prosecute the work he had
commenced.

Father Mendez was not long in discovering this, and with fully equal
resolution took steps to put a stop to his proceedings. He also prided
himself on performing whatever he undertook in the most effectual
manner. He saw that Pedro might cause him a great deal of trouble and
inconvenience. There were two ways which suggested themselves of
disposing of him: he might inform the marq