e presently ranged, and
hooked on. Then the white-clad figure in the stern-sheets rose and,
leisurely climbing the steps to the level of the wharf, revealed itself
as that of a man somewhat over middle height, broadly built, with hair,
beard, and moustache of raven black, and a skin tanned almost to the
colour of that of a mulatto by long exposure to sea-breezes and a
tropical sun. His age I roughly estimated as somewhere about forty.

With a swaggering sea roll he came striding across the wide arid space
between the wharf side and the buildings, puffing at a big black cigar
as he walked, and glancing about him curiously, as though he could not
quite understand the utter quietude and deserted aspect of the place.
Apparently, however, this was not sufficiently marked to arouse his
suspicion, for he betrayed no hesitation as he made straight for the
house under the broad verandah of which I stood in full view, watching
his approach. As he came within speaking distance he slightly raised
his broad-brimmed pugaree-bound Panama hat, for a moment, exclaiming, in
execrable Spanish:

"Good-morning, senor! what has happened that I see nobody about? And
where is Senor Morillo? I would have speech with him."

Raising my hat in reply, I answered, in the same language: "I deeply
regret to inform you, senor, that Morillo is indisposed--down with a
slight attack of fever, in fact; and, as for the rest, they are away in
the bush on the other side, whither they have gone to help bring in the
cauffle which is due to arrive this afternoon. But will you not step in
out of the sun?"

"Thanks!" answered the stranger, ascending the gallery steps. "I am
sorry to hear of my friend Morillo's indisposition. A _slight_ attack
of fever, I think you said. Is he too ill, think you, to talk business?
If not, you will perhaps have the extreme kindness to tell him that
Captain Lenoir of _La Belle Estelle_ has arrived and would like to see
him."

"Assuredly I will, senor," I answered politely. "Pray step inside here,
out of the heat, and be seated, while I convey your message to Senor
Morillo."

So saying, I flung open the door of an inner room, and stood aside for
him to enter.

Quite unsuspectingly he stalked in through the open door, removed his
hat and laid it upon the table, flung himself into a basket-chair, and,
withdrawing an enormous silk pocket-handkerchief from his pocket,
proceeded to mop the streaming perspiration from his