head, eh? And,
Don Jorge--but we will discuss that later. Now you go back to the city
alone. I have much to do. And, note this, you have not seen me."

Meantime, to the group of politicians, soldiers, and clergy assembled
in the long audience room of the departmental offices to debate the
terms of the peace protocol, news of the arrival of the _Cossack_ was
brought by a slow-moving messenger from the dock. At the abrupt
announcement the acting-Bishop was seen to start from his chair. Was
the master himself on board? _Quien sabe?_ And, if so--but,
impossible! He would have advised his faithful co-laborer of his
coming. And yet, what were those strange rumors which had trickled
over the wires, and which, in his absorption in the local issues, and
in the excitement attendant upon the restoration of peace and the
settlement of the multifold claims of innumerable greedy politicians,
he had all but forgotten? A thousand suggestions flashed through his
mind, any one of which might account for the presence of the _Cossack_
in Cartagena's harbor that day. But extreme caution must be observed
until he might ascertain its errand. He therefore despatched a message
to the yacht, expressing his great surprise and pleasure, and bidding
its master meet him at a convenient hour in his study in the
Cathedral. This done, he bent anew to the work before him, yet with
his thought harried by doubt, suspicion, and torturing curiosity.

Wenceslas soon received a reply to his message. The master was aboard,
but unable to go ashore. The acting-Bishop would therefore come to him
at once.

Wenceslas hesitated, and his brow furrowed. He knew he was called upon
to render his reckoning to the great financier who had furnished the
sinews of war. But he must have time to consider thoroughly his own
advantage, for well he understood that he was summoned to match his
own keen wits with those of a master mind.

And then there flashed through his thought the reports which had
circled the world but three short weeks before. The man of wealth had
found his daughter; and she was the girl for whom the two Americans
had outwitted him four years ago! And the girl--Simiti--and--ah,
Rincon! Good! He laughed outright. He would meet the financier--but
not until the morrow, at noon, for, he would allege, the unanticipated
arrival of Ames had found this day completely occupied. So he again
despatched his wondering messenger to the _Cossack_. And that
messenger w