n Manuel," interrupted George, who was already beginning
to suspect a disposition on the part of this individual at least to set
up a system of delay and retardation of proceedings, "I do not think we
need enter upon a discussion of my demands as a whole just now. The
object of my visit to you is to obtain a list of the names of the
Englishmen who fell into your hands last year as a result of your
unprovoked attack upon the squadron of my countryman, Admiral Hawkins,
and a statement of what has become of them. I presume you can furnish
me with this information, can you not?"

"No doubt--yes, no doubt I can," replied Don Manuel, with deliberation.
"A search of the records should certainly enable us to discover the
information which you require; but of course it will take time. Still,
I think I may promise you that in a week from now--"

"A week!" exploded George, "_A week_!" Then he turned to the alcalde,
and, calming himself with an effort, said: "Senor, I am afraid that your
friend Don Manuel, here, does not realise the urgency of this matter, or
the extreme seriousness of the situation. I want the information asked
for, _now, at once_, within the hour at least. Will you have the very
great goodness to make this clear to him?"

Whereupon the alcalde drew Don Manuel away into a far corner of the room
and, with every evidence of extreme agitation, addressed himself
earnestly to the soldier for some five minutes or more, at the end of
which the pair returned to where George was standing by the table,
fidgeting with his sword-hilt. The arguments and remonstrances of the
alcalde seemed to have been effective, for upon their return Don Manuel
said:

"I crave your pardon, most noble senor; I certainly did not understand
that the matter was anything like so urgent as it appears to be. I beg
that you will be seated, senor, and I will do my best to have the
information found for you forthwith."

Then, as George seated himself, the acting Commandant rang a bell, in
response to which a messenger appeared, to whom he gave certain
instructions, whereupon the man vanished, and Don Manuel, taking a chair
on the opposite side of the table to that at which George was sitting,
began a somewhat constrained conversation upon indifferent subjects,
which was interrupted by the appearance of a servant with wine and three
handsome cups of chased silver. Saint Leger, however, coldly but
courteously declined refreshments of any kin