say with a wave of the hand:

"'You will take the prisoner, Lieutenant Conchas, to the military prison,
and hand him over to the governor there. Until you hear further you will
maintain an absolute silence as to his arrival here, and will simply state
that you are here on a short leave.'

"I had nothing to do but to bow and retire, but if possible I will send a
message to your admiral that you are here. At present, however, that is
out of the question; for while I was waiting in the anteroom I learned
that the blockading fleet has sailed away, and that there is no news
whatever as to the direction which it has taken. It is very unfortunate,
but you may be assured that, as soon as it returns, I will somehow or
other communicate with the admiral."

Remounting they rode to the prison. They said good-bye to each other
before they reached its door, for, as Filippo said, it would be better
that he should part ceremoniously.

"We must not show any affection for each other," he said, "or, should the
English admiral learn that you are here, or should you manage to make your
escape, suspicion would at once light upon me. Believe me, Don Estevan, I
shall do all in my power to aid you."

The parting inside was therefore brief. Don Filippo handed Stephen over to
the chief official of the prison, saying that the orders of the governor
were, that he was to be kept apart from all other prisoners and allowed no
communication with anyone.

"Adieu, senor. I trust that you have had no cause to complain of your
treatment during your journey hither."

"None whatever," Stephen said gravely. "You have treated me with the
courtesy that an officer has a right to expect at the hands of his
captors."

The young Spaniard bowed, saluted the prison officer, and left without
another word. The governor struck a bell, and on an assistant entering he
gave Stephen into his charge. "Place him in the end cell of the long
corridor," he said. "If it is occupied at present, remove whoever is there
to another cell. This prisoner is to hold no communication with others,
and an extra strict watch must be kept on him. He is one of the heretic
officers of the Chilian fleet, and will want looking after closely."

The cell happened to be untenanted, and Stephen was at once conducted
there. It was apparently intended as a place of confinement for officers
who had fallen into disgrace. It was some twelve feet square, and
contained a table and a chair. From t