swered
anxiously; "though I know, of course, that it would be safe with you."

We were, at the time of this conversation, running through a most
beautiful valley, glorious with tropical vegetation. The train was
gradually rising on an easy gradient to the higher lands, where we
hoped to get fresher air, for the heat in the valley was most
oppressive after three weeks passed practically in the open on the deck
of the _Oceana_.

Without in any way forcing myself on Mrs. Darbyshire's society, I
contrived to see a good deal of Dolores on this little railway journey,
which was only to occupy a day and a half.

Once on the beautiful tableland with its gorgeous views of hill and
dale, ocean and distant mountain, the train sped onwards at a rate
almost alarming to us used to the slower methods of Europe.

It was well on in the evening; we had dined excellently in the
well-provided restaurant car, and were lounging about in the moonlight
thinking of turning in--for there were several sleeping-cars attached
to the train--when the incident occurred which very nearly rendered my
journey fruitless. It was just as we had entered Aquazilian territory,
and passed the customs. We were, as I have said, lounging about
smoking, when the train which was running through a deep cutting
suddenly slowed down, and presently the breaks [Transcriber's note:
brakes?] were put on so hard that we who were standing near were nearly
thrown off our feet.

"Whatever is the matter?" cried Ethel, who was sitting in a compartment
of the smoking-car with us. "I hope there is no accident."

St. Nivel, who was sitting opposite to me, suddenly leaned forward and
whispered--

"If you have that packet of yours handy, give it to me. I think there
will be trouble."

He had travelled in America before, and I placed a good deal of
reliance on his experience.

From the front of the train there arose a great hubbub, a chorus of
exclamations in Spanish.

"I thought so," remarked St. Nivel; "you'd better look sharp, Bill, if
you want to make that packet safe."

As he spoke, he held out towards me an open cigar-box which he had
taken out of the rack.

Then I saw what he was aiming at; he wished me for some reason to hide
my packet among the cigars in the box.

I did not hesitate a moment, but put my hand in my trousers pocket, and
pulling out the precious packet, placed it among the cigars.

He immediately covered it with more cigars, and then put