a desire to be with her. Moreover I knew that I should be welcome
now, for my fortune was far greater than my brother's would ever be,
and parents do not show the door to suitors who bring more than twelve
thousand golden pieces in their baggage. Also I wished to see my father
again before he passed beyond my reach. But still between me and
my desire lay the shadow of de Garcia and my oath. I had brooded on
vengeance for so long that I felt even in the midst of this strong
temptation that I should have no pleasure in my life if I forsook my
quest. To be happy I must first kill de Garcia. Moreover I had come to
believe that did I so forsake it the curse which I had invoked would
surely fall upon me.

Meanwhile I did this. Going to a notary I caused him to prepare a deed
which I translated into English. By this deed I vested all my fortune
except two hundred pesos that I kept for my own use, in three persons to
hold the same on my behalf till I came to claim it. Those three persons
were my old master, Doctor Grimstone of Bungay, whom I knew for the
honestest of men, my sister Mary Wingfield, and my betrothed, Lily
Bozard. I directed them by this deed, which for greater validity I
signed upon the ship and caused to be witnessed by Captain Bell and
two other Englishmen, to deal with the property according to their
discretion, investing not less than half of it in the purchase of lands
and putting the rest out to interest, which interest with the rent of
the lands was to be paid to the said Lily Bozard for her own use for so
long as she remained unmarried.

Also with the deed I executed a will by which I devised the most of my
property to Lily Bozard should she be unmarried at the date of my death,
and the residue to my sister Mary. In the event of the marriage or death
of Lily, then the whole was to pass to Mary and her heirs.

These two documents being signed and sealed, I delivered them, together
with all my treasure and other goods, into the keeping of Captain Bell,
charging him solemnly to hand them and my possessions to Dr. Grimstone
of Bungay, by whom he would be liberally rewarded. This he promised to
do, though not until he had urged me almost with tears to accompany them
myself.

With the gold and the deeds I sent several letters; to my father, my
sister, my brother, Dr. Grimstone, Squire Bozard, and lastly to Lily
herself. In these letters I gave an account of my life and fortunes
since I had come to Spain, f