then. But take notice of
what I say, Mr Mackintosh; if I find you hanging about here again I
will call a policeman and give you in charge as a suspicious character.
Now, be off with you, and do not let me see you again."

And, swinging him round, Jack thrust him away with such force that it
was with difficulty the man avoided falling headlong into the carriage-
way. Then, calmly passing into the hotel, Singleton enquired for Senor
Montijo, and was ushered to that gentleman's private suite of rooms by
an obsequious waiter.

He found both father and son waiting for him in a very pretty little
drawing-room, and, Carlos having duly introduced his friend, the three
stood chatting together upon the various current topics of the day until
dinner was announced, when they filed into a small dining-room
adjoining. Here also the conversation was of a strictly general
character, so long, at least, as the waiters were about; but at length
the latter withdrew, and the two young men, at Senor Montijo's request,
drew up their chairs closer to his.

Don Hermoso Montijo was a man in the very prime of life, being in his
forty-third year; and, fortune having been kind to him from the first,
while sickness of every description had carefully avoided him, he looked
even younger than his years. He was a tall, powerful, and strikingly
handsome man, of very dark complexion, with black hair, beard, and
moustache, and dark eyes that sparkled with good humour and vivacity;
and his every movement and gesture were characterised by the stately
dignity of the true old Spanish hidalgo. He had spoken but little
during dinner, his English being far from perfect; moreover, although he
had paid the most elaborately courteous attention to what Jack said, his
thoughts had seemed to be far away. Now, however, he turned to his
guest and said, with an air of apology:

"Senor Singleton, I must pray you to me pardon if I have silent been
during--the--meal--of dinner, but I have not much of English, as you
have doubtless noticed. Have you the Spanish?"

Jack laughed as he replied in that language: "What I have, Senor, I owe
entirely to Carlos here. He may perhaps have told you that we two used
to amuse ourselves by teaching each other our respective tongues. But I
am afraid I was rather a dull scholar; and if my Spanish is only half as
good as Carlos's English I shall be more than satisfied."

"I am afraid I am unable to judge the quality of Carlos'