here seemed to be a very marked disposition on the
part of the man to indulge in hints and innuendoes suggesting that he
was perfectly aware of the existence of a certain something "under the
rose", until Singleton at length put a stop to it by asking him, point-
blank, what it was at which he was hinting. And when he at length went
down the side to return to the shore, he left a subordinate on board the
yacht. The Montijos were very wroth at this act of the customs
authorities, which they rather wished Jack to resent as an act of
discourtesy on the part of the American Government; but Milsom promptly
interposed, explaining matters, while Jack laughed heartily, declaring
that there was not the slightest need to worry, since they had nothing
in the shape of contraband or otherwise that they wished to land at Key
West.

The saloon party breakfasted at nine o'clock the next morning, and,
embarking in the steam pinnace about ten, went ashore, ostensibly to
enquire at the post office for letters, and to view the quaint little
town, but really to visit an agent of the Cuban Junta who was
established there; upon whom, however, Don Hermoso did not call until
nearly two o'clock in the afternoon, at which hour the streets were
practically deserted. The first visit of the party was to the post
office, where, as he had expected, Don Hermoso found awaiting him a long
letter, written in cipher, from the Junta at New York, cordially
thanking him for his generous assistance, and informing him that
arrangements had been made for a trusty party to await the arrival of
the yacht in the Laguna de Cortes, at the south-west end of Cuba, where
everything was to be landed, and where also a pilot would be found
waiting to take the yacht into the lagoon. The letter ended up by
giving a password which would be evidence of the _bona fides_ both of
the pilot and of the party who had been told off to receive the
contraband.

It soon became apparent to Jack that he and his party were attracting a
very considerable amount of attention from certain individuals, who
appeared to be following them about the town persistently, and
apparently with very little pretence at concealment. It was therefore
arranged that when the moment arrived for the visit to be paid to the
agent of the Junta, Don Hermoso should pay it alone, Carlos and Jack
meanwhile doing their best to decoy the persistent spies in some other
direction. But their efforts were of no ava