s daughter he treated him with his usual
courtesy. He felt that he should be very glad to get him out of the
ship; still, by keeping him on board, he might possibly gain some
information which might prove useful in establishing the claims of Hilda
Wardhill's son to the property of his father. The most important object
was to discover if that son was alive, and where he was, and what had
become of Pedro Alvarez.

Lord Claymore and Ronald talked the subject over with such intense
eagerness, that the latter almost forgot his own interests in the desire
he felt to be of service to one whom he justly looked on as his
patroness and the protectress of his youth. The homicide of the
familiar of the Inquisition fully accounted for Pedro's not returning to
Spain; while as that country had been for so many years at war with
England, he might have found it impossible to send him back to Shetland.
He might have written, to be sure, but the letters might have
miscarried. Nothing was more probable. It was too likely, however,
that both he and the boy were lost. Still Lord Claymore hoped the
contrary, and, perhaps, his anxiety was not a little increased by the
satisfaction he anticipated in ousting the rascally old marquis from his
estates and rank.

The coast of Spain was soon after made, and the active operations in
which the ship was engaged allowed the captain or Morton very little
time to think of that or any other subject.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

RONALD MEETS HIS FATHER--OLD DOULL RECOGNISES ROLF MORTON--MORTON
RECOGNISES FATHER MENDEZ--ROLF MORTON'S DIPLOMACY--A FORT ATTACKED--BLUE
JACKETS ON SHORE.

A few days after the "Imperious" reached the coast, a brig of war hove
in sight. The frigate stood towards her, and when the two vessels had
hove-to, the commander of the brig came on board, and confirmed the
statement made by the marquis and the priest, that Spain had made peace
with England, and had determined to throw off the French yoke.

"Much good may our allies do us," remarked Lord Claymore who had a
profound contempt for the Spaniards. "A cowardly braggadocio set. I
would place no dependence on their support in case of need."

The commander of the brig bowed; he was not likely to dispute the matter
with his lordship.

"By-the-by, I have brought a passenger--an old shipmate of mine, whom
Mr Morton will at all events be glad to see."

"And so shall I," said Lord Claymore, glancing at the gangway, at whi