" responded Jim. "But tell me about the arrangements you have
made."

The Senor glanced about, then walked with Jim a little distance from the
inn. There was no apparent need for the precaution, for there was no one
to be seen about the place.

"At five o'clock to-day, at an appointed spot, a tree below here, I am
to be met by someone who will receive the money."

"Yes," said Jim, "and you already have your men perched in the branches
of the tree."

The Senor made an exclamation of intense

"It is the large eucalyptus on the margin of the grove," continued Jim.

"Yes. Yes. You seem to know all."

"All I must know to aid you effectively," said Jim, earnestly. "You
speak about the money, but your daughter, what of her?"

"That is arranged. She is to be seen by me before the money is given up.
She is to be near at hand. I am to see her, it is promised, sitting in a
small boat near the shore, and in the care of a good woman who has been
her companion."

Jim could not restrain a laugh. The idea of applying any such word as
"good woman" to the virago on board the Sea Eagle.

"Captain Broome's sister?" suggested Jim, inquiringly.

"Captain Broome's sister," repeated the Senor. "It is not possible. The
captain is a comrade, a friend, engaged by me to carry arms and armament
to my confreres in Cuba. Ah, what am I saying to you, James? My secret,
in my anxiety for my daughter, my secret I have told, you must not
repeat or disclose."

"Your secret is safe, Senor, but your daughter is on board the Sea Eagle
now, and Broome, whatever he may be, is not to be trusted."

"I am amazed. It is true the Sea Eagle is in the harbor. So I was told
by the innkeeper this morning. But I knew for what purpose, and I was
glad to think that someone was near on whom I could rely in case of
need. Then I have my trusted man, as you surmised, in the tree to give
aid if called upon. But how know you all and so many of these things?"

"Perhaps I know more. You arranged all the plans through a certain
lawyer in San Francisco?"

"Yes. Yes."

"And he sold you out."

"What do you mean?"

"That he plotted with Broome to get your daughter into his hands, that
they might wring another five thousand out of you."

"How dare they!" He thought a few moments, his face livid with
suppressed rage. Then he continued, "They probably counted on my intense
interest in Cuban affairs, of which I told you, to save themselves. But
they are mistaken. I