y of the family had arrived, either by the
train indicated in the telegram, or by any subsequent train. From this
I very naturally concluded that something had occurred to detain the
party in Havana, and I looked, from day to day, for a letter or message
of some kind explaining the delay; but nothing came, and when at length
I received your letter, and gathered from it that you believed the
family to be at home, I at once felt that something very wrong had
happened, and came to the conclusion that the proper thing for me to do
was to meet you here and inform you of all the circumstances."

"Of course," concurred Jack; "that certainly was the proper thing to do.
But what can possibly have happened to them all? And why the dickens
did you not write to me at once when the party failed to turn up?"

"I can see now that I ought to have done so," said Calderon. "But you
see, Senor," he added in excuse; "I was constantly expecting to hear
from Don Hermoso, explaining his absence and naming another day for his
arrival; and in this condition of expectancy the days slipped away."

"Yes," assented Jack grimly; "I see. Well, it is useless to worry about
that now; the question is: What has become of them all? People do not
disappear in that mysterious fashion without a cause. It is certain
that they did not remain in Havana, for I saw them off; and if they had
gone back to the city they would have returned to the yacht, or
communicated with me in some way. And it is equally certain that when
they stepped aboard the train that morning, they fully intended to
return to the house. Their disappearance, therefore, is involuntary on
their part; I am confident of that. Now, what can be the explanation of
this most singular occurrence? Can it be that--by the way, Senor
Calderon, have you had any visitors to the house during the absence of
Don Hermoso and his family?"

"Yes, Senor, unfortunately we have had visitors--on one occasion; and
that visit may very possibly--now that you come to mention it--have had
something to do with the disappearance of Senor Montijo and his family.
It occurred some three weeks ago; and the visitors consisted of an
officer of cavalry and a dozen troopers. He--the officer--enquired for
Don Hermoso; and, when told that he was absent from home, demanded the
keys of Don Hermoso's desk, which he compelled me to surrender. And
when I had handed over the keys, the officer sat down at the desk and
spent n