cia, I suppose, and we shall
have to turn out; but I cannot encourage you. I must begin again, I
suppose."

"Uncle," I said, "I am deeply grieved that my coming should work such
evil in the place," for my anger had now evaporated. "I ask your pardon
for bringing such trouble upon your house. I could not help loving
Lilla; to see her was to do that; and even now, if I saw that fellow
brutally using his strength against her, I should feel obliged to strike
him."

"Things must take their course, Harry," said my uncle; "and I don't know
that, after all, I am very much grieved. We have seen the man now in
his true colours, and I learn that one of those colours is that which is
worn by a coward. But while you stay, Harry, beware! Garcia has sworn
that he'll have your blood, and he will!"

"Yes, Uncle," I said quietly, "if he can!"

"Just so, Harry; but take care."

"I'll be on my guard, Uncle," I replied.

And then I left him to go and think, my pulses throbbing as I thought of
the exciting turn my adventures were taking--the event of the last
hour--my discovery, if such it could be called; and I longed for the
time when I could put it to the proof.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

NOT QUITE.

The time glided on, and I saw no more of Garcia; but, all the same, I
could not help feeling that this calm might portend a storm.

My uncle was evidently very uneasy; but he said no more, merely
proceeding with his business as usual, while with Tom I took trips here
and there, making myself certainly now no burden, for we returned each
evening loaded with game of some description--deer, fowl, or fish.

The first two days I saw at different times that we were followed; but
afterwards it seemed that the spies, self-constituted or not, had given
up their task, and that we were free to roam the forest as we pleased.

I grew hopeful upon making this discovery, and longingly looked forward
for the night of our great adventure.

It seemed as if that night would never come, but it came at last.

Instead of going to my bed-room I stole out directly I had seen my uncle
take his last cigar; and knowing that my absence would not be noticed, I
made my way to the appointed place.

It was excessively dark--a favourable omen, I thought; and on reaching
the little wood there was Tom smoking his pipe, with the bowl inside his
jacket, though, had the ruddy glow been seen at a distance, it might
easily have been taken for the lanthorn of