extinguished that
twinkle. "But since Diego cannot come to me, why, I will go across to
him."

For a moment Don Esteban's face was a mask of pallid fear. Then Blood
was speaking in a lowered, confidential voice that admirably blended
suavity, impressiveness, and sly mockery.

"If you please, Don Miguel, but that is the very thing you must not
do--the very thing Don Diego does not wish you to do. You must not see
him until his wounds are healed. That is his own wish. That is the real
reason why he is not here. For the truth is that his wounds are not
so grave as to have prevented his coming. It was his consideration of
himself and the false position in which you would be placed if you had
direct word from him of what has happened. As your excellency has said,
there is peace between His Catholic Majesty and the King of England, and
your brother Don Diego...." He paused a moment. "I am sure that I need
say no more. What you hear from us is no more than a mere rumour. Your
excellency understands."

His excellency frowned thoughtfully. "I understand... in part," said he.

Captain Blood had a moment's uneasiness. Did the Spaniard doubt his bona
fides? Yet in dress and speech he knew himself to be impeccably Spanish,
and was not Don Esteban there to confirm him? He swept on to afford
further confirmation before the Admiral could say another word.

"And we have in the boat below two chests containing fifty thousand
pieces of eight, which we are to deliver to your excellency."

His excellency jumped; there was a sudden stir among his officers.

"They are the ransom extracted by Don Diego from the Governor of...."

"Not another word, in the name of Heaven!" cried the Admiral in alarm.
"My brother wishes me to assume charge of this money, to carry it to
Spain for him? Well, that is a family matter between my brother and
myself. So, it can be done. But I must not know...." He broke off. "Hum!
A glass of Malaga in my cabin, if you please," he invited them, "whilst
the chests are being hauled aboard."

He gave his orders touching the embarkation of these chests, then led
the way to his regally appointed cabin, his four officers and the friar
following by particular invitation.

Seated at table there, with the tawny wine before them, and the servant
who had poured it withdrawn, Don Miguel laughed and stroked his pointed,
grizzled beard.

"Virgen santisima! That brother of mine has a mind that thinks of
everything. Left t