early three hours in going through the whole of Senor Montijo's
private papers, some of which he took away with him."

"Did he make any remark, or say who he was?" demanded Jack.

"No, Senor; neither the one nor the other," answered Calderon.

"How long have you been in Don Hermoso's service?" demanded Jack.

"For eleven years and--let me consider--yes--for eleven years and nine
months, Senor. And I owe to Don Hermoso everything that I have,"
answered Calderon.

"And I suppose you are fully in Don Hermoso's confidence?" asked Jack.

"I believe so, Senor," answered Calderon; "I doubt very much whether he
has any secrets from me. I know, for instance," dropping his voice
almost to a whisper, "that the yacht _Thetis_, which is understood to be
your property, really belongs to him. I also know that she brought out
from England a large consignment of arms, ammunition, and stores for the
use of the insurgents, and that the consignment was landed in the Laguna
de Cortes; and I am fully aware that Senor Montijo is actively
sympathetic with the insurgents--as is every member of his family and
household, down to the meanest stable boy or labourer in the fields."

"In that case," said Jack, "the probability is that the papers which the
unknown cavalry officer took away with him were of a more or less
compromising character, eh?"

"I very much fear so, Senor," answered Calderon. "Or, if not exactly
compromising, at least of such a character as to prove that Don Hermoso
was both sympathetic and in correspondence with the insurgent faction.
Pardon me for saying so, Senor Singleton, but I quite easily perceive,
by your manner, that you are not at all certain of my fidelity to Don
Hermoso. I hope to convince you of that in due time, however; and
meanwhile I honour you for your distrust, for it proves your friendly
interest in my employer and his family. I shall remain here to manage
the estate and guard my employer's interests as long as I am permitted
to do so; and, if I mistake not, you will presently be leaving here to
return to Havana, with the object of discovering what has happened to
Don Hermoso and his family. My own opinion now is that they have all
been arrested as conspirators, upon evidence supplied by those
abstracted papers--and, if so, I say most fervently, God help them! for
the Spaniards will show them no mercy. And, as to my fidelity, Senor,
perhaps I can even now afford you some small proof of it by gu