believe
that you have concealed either on your person, or in your luggage, a
certain packet which you are carrying to Valoro. Our chief requires
that you shall give that packet up to him. That done, and your fine of
a hundred dollars paid, you will be permitted to go on your way."

"And if I refuse to comply with your request?" I asked.

The man shrugged his shoulders.

"The chief will be here directly," he answered, with a peculiar smile;
"he will tell you himself."

I threw myself in a corner of the carriage, and with the bitterest
thoughts at my heart, tried to think of some means of escape, while I
awaited the coming of the principal brigand. St. Nivel sat opposite to
me, and I saw by his set jaw and knitted brows that he considered the
situation very serious. We had not long to wait for the chief. A
heavy footstep came along the corridor and presently an immense bulk
entered the doorway with a great masked head above it.

The man was a half-breed and a giant, possessing immense strength; the
reason of his chieftainship was very evident.

"Which is Anstruther?" he asked abruptly, as he came in, with a strong
foreign accent.

His subordinate pointed to me.

"_Carajo!_ Mr. Anstruther," the giant began, "I hope you are not going
to give us any trouble. You don't look very amiable!"

I simply looked at him and did not answer.

"My lieutenant here," the chief proceeded, "has no doubt acquainted you
with my wishes. We want that little packet of yours, which you are
carrying to Valoro."

"What little packet?" I asked superciliously.

"The little packet which you fetched from your lawyer's office just
before you left London," he replied, with a smile; adding at my look of
astonishment, "you see we know your movements pretty well."

I gave an impatient toss of my head, and felt inclined to drive my fist
into the man's great fat face, the only part of which I could see was a
great thick-lipped mouth with fine white teeth grinning through a black
beard.

"Supposing," I said, "that I refuse to comply with your demand?"

"Then," he said abruptly, "we shall look for it." "Come now, Mr.
Anstruther," he added, "we have very little time to lose; give me that
packet."

"I haven't got it," I answered truthfully, for it was in St. Nivel's
cigar-box.

The big man turned to his lieutenant.

"Send in a couple of the others; strip and search him," he said sharply.

In obedience to a call from the other, two