So long as I may live I shall never forget the ball at which I was
present that night. The scene was gay beyond description. All the Rank
and Fashion of La Gloria, and one might almost say of Equinata, were
assembled there. When the dancing had been in progress for some time,
the President and the Senorita Dolores put in an appearance and were
received by the committee to the strains of the National Air. I must
confess that Fernandez made a most imposing figure, with his broad
ribbon of the Order of La Gloria, and his wealth of foreign
decorations. As for his companion, it would be difficult for a mere
male mortal to find words in which to describe the picture she
presented. As soon as it was permissible I crossed the room to her and
humbly asked her for a dance. She was graciously pleased to give me
one, and presently we found ourselves circling round the room together
to the music of a long swinging waltz, excellently played. Afterwards
I escorted her from the ball-room into the balcony. It was a lovely
night, and so still, that in the pauses of the music the sound of the
waves upon the beach could be distinctly heard, though more than a
mile away. I procured my companion's mantilla for her, with which she
draped her head and neck, with characteristic grace. Never, I am
inclined to believe, had she looked lovelier than she did at that
moment, and when she leant upon the balustrading of the balcony, and
looked across the city towards the mountains, behind which the moon
was rising, I vowed that I had never beheld a fairer picture. Few men
could have stood beside her then and not have felt the fascination of
her presence.
"Senor Trevelyan," she said meditatively, in a voice that was as low
and musical as the deep notes of a guitar, "what a strange thing is
life! You and I stand here together now. Out of the infinite you hold
my attention for minutes that never can be recalled. Later we shall
separate, and then you will go your way, and I shall go mine. In all
probability we shall never meet again--yet through Eternity our
destinies will be linked, like the strands of a rope, by the
remembrance of a few minutes' conversation on a certain moonlight
night in Equinata."
I must confess that this sudden seriousness on her part puzzled me
considerably. A moment before she had been all gaiety, a few seconds
later she was gravity personified. The change was so instantaneous
that I found it difficult to follow her.
"I am afraid I must be very obtuse," I stammered, "but I cannot say
that I have quite caught your meaning."
"I am not sure that I know it myself," she replied. "The beauty of the
night has taken hold of me. The rising of the moon always has a
curious effect upon me. I am afraid you will think me very absurd, but
people say I have a strange way of looking at things. I was thinking
of our life. Consider for a moment how much we are governed by Chance.
We meet some one we like, some one whom we believe might prove a good
friend if ever occasion should arise. He, or she, crosses our path,
tarries perhaps for a moment with us, and then vanishes, never to be
seen by us again."
"But we have the consolation of recollection left us," I replied, more
impressed than ever by her curious mood. "Every day we put away
impressions in memory's store-house--mental photographs, may I call
them--which will conjure up the Past for us in fifty years' time if
need be. Think of the impression I am receiving at this moment. It
will never be effaced. The scent of the orange blossoms, the glorious
moonlight, the music of the ball-room yonder, and you leaning upon the
balustrading looking down upon the sleeping city. The picture will
still be with me even though I have the misfortune to be many thousand
miles from La Gloria. In fifty years' time I may be in an English
village, in a Chinese seaport, or on the South African Karroo; then
the shimmer of the moonlight on a leaf--a chance strain of music--even
a piece of black lace, like that of your mantilla--will be sufficient
to bring the whole scene before my mind's eye. In a flash I shall be
transported to this balcony, and you will be standing beside me once
more."
It seemed to me that she gave a little shiver as I said this.
"If your mental photographs are to be so vivid," she continued, "what
a sorry figure I shall cut in them, if through all time I continue to
talk as I have been doing to-night." Then changing her manner, she
went on, "I fear you will soon grow tired of Equinata."
"That could never be," I replied. "I only wish it were in my power to
stay longer."
"When do you think it will be necessary for you to leave?" she
inquired, as if the question were one of the utmost importance.
"It is difficult to say," I answered. "I am afraid, however, it will
not be many more days. I have received information concerning some
rather important business that may possibly necessitate my leaving for
Europe almost immediately."
"I am sorry to hear that," she said meditatively. "We had looked
forward to enjoying the pleasure of your society for some time to
come."
She spoke as if I were an old friend whom she feared to lose. Had a
stranger been present, he or she would have found it difficult to
believe that a fortnight before we had never set eyes on each other.
There are many men in the world who, had they been in my place, would
doubtless have been charmed, and perhaps more than charmed, by the
interest she displayed in my doings. She was a vastly pretty woman,
dangerously pretty in fact, but even her tender interest in my affairs
was not sufficient to shake my equilibrium. Ten minutes or so later we
returned to the ball-room, and I surrendered her to the partner who
came to claim her. Having done so, I was walking towards the further
end of the room, when the President accosted me. He was in a most
affable mood, and was evidently disposed for a chat.
"You do not appear to be dancing very much, Senor Trevelyan," he said,
dropping into English, as was his wont when we were alone together.
"Is it possible you feel inclined for a cigar?"
"I am more than inclined," I replied, "I am pining for one. I never
was much of a dancing man. The hard sort of life I have been compelled
to lead has not permitted me much opportunity for practising that
graceful art."
The words had no sooner escaped my lips than I realized what a slip I
had made. So far as he was aware, I was, to all intents and purposes,
a rich young Englishman, and should be without a care in the world. It
would therefore seem to him strange that I should not have had much
chance of perfecting my knowledge of the terpsichorean art.
"I mean to say," I went on, as we made our way across the grand lobby
to the smoking-room, "that after I left school, I was for some time
abroad, and--well, the fact of the matter is, I never laid myself out
very much for ladies' society."
"I think I understand," he replied gravely. "Like myself, you prefer
to look for your amusements in other directions. Your passion for the
sea I can quite appreciate, but I think, were I in your place, I
should prefer a somewhat larger craft than your yacht. A mail-boat,
for instance, such as the _Pernambuco_--or the _Amantillado_ would
come somewhat nearer the mark."
There was nothing remarkable in what he said, and his voice never for
a second rose above its customary pitch. Nevertheless, I looked at him
in overwhelming astonishment. It seemed to me his words were spoken
with a deliberate intent, and were meant to have a definite value
placed upon them. It was not the first time I had had the impression
forced upon me, and it was not a pleasant one, I can assure you, that
he had become aware of the real reason for my presence in Equinata. I
hastened to abandon the subject of the sea, and directed the
conversation into another channel. The result, however, was very much
the same. We thereupon discussed the possibilities of a European war,
which at that moment seemed not improbable.
"Power," he returned, _a propos_ of a remark of mine, "is in my
opinion precisely a question of temperament. Your London crowd is well
trained and will stand what would drive a Neapolitan or a French mob
to violence. Such speeches are delivered in your parks on Sundays as
would prove in these latitudes as intoxicating as brandy. I have known
a Revolution started by an ill-timed jest, a city wrecked, and a
thousand lives lost in consequence. Talking of Revolutions, have you
ever had the misfortune to be called upon to take part in one?"
Once more my suspicions were aroused.
"Good gracious, no!" I cried. "What makes you ask me such a question?
Do I look like the sort of person who would be likely to have to do
with such affairs?"
He glanced at me for a moment over the top of the cigar which he had
taken from his mouth and was holding between his long slim fingers, as
if to enjoy the beautiful aroma.
"I was merely venturing an inquiry," he continued, in the same quiet
fashion as before. "If you have not, you should try the experiment.
Believe me, there is a very fair amount of excitement to be got out of
it, particularly if you have not the good fortune to be on the winning
side. You have met Don Guzman de Silvestre, of course?"
"Don Guzman de who?" I asked, as if I had not quite caught the name.
"My predecessor," the President replied. "I thought that probably you
might have come across him in your travels. He knocks about the
Continent a good deal, and I am told he is well known at the various
ports at which the mail-boats touch."
The situation was momentarily getting beyond me. I felt that I could
not stand much more of it. He had referred to the _Pernambuco_, and
had recommended me to try my hand at a Revolution; he had mentioned
Don Guzman de Silvestre, and now he was speaking of the ports at which
the South American mail-boats call, and implying that I was familiar
with them. What did it all mean? Was it only a matter of chance, or
was he aware of my identity, and only biding his time to rise and
upset all my calculations? I think you will agree with me in saying
that it was not a pleasant position for a man to be placed in!
"I remember," he went on, "on one occasion smoking a cigar with Don
Guzman de Silvestre in this very balcony--he was sitting exactly where
you are now. Though he thought I was not aware of it, I happened to
know that he was at that time hatching a plot that he hoped would
upset my calculations, turn me out of my palace, and make him
President in my stead. He had been laying his plans for months, and
was quite sure that they would succeed!"
"And the result?"
"The result was that it failed. If he had not managed to escape when
he did, I am afraid his life would have paid the forfeit. In spite of
the advice I gave you just now, interference in Revolutions in
Equinata is not an amusement I should recommend to every one."
"I trust I may never be called upon to try it," I replied fervently.
"I hope you will not," he returned, without looking at me. "It's an
unprofitable speculation unless you are certain of your cards. The
strongest, of course, wins, and the loser generally goes to the wall."
I thought I understood to what wall he referred.
A few moments' silence followed his last speech. The President was the
first to break it by referring to what he hoped would be the future of
his country. It was evident that he firmly believed in it and its
capabilities. Then, rising from his chair, he bade me "good-night"
with an abruptness that was almost disconcerting.
When he had gone, and I had finished my cigar, I returned to the
ball-room in time to meet the Presidential party as they were leaving.
"Good-night, Senor Trevelyan," said the senorita. "The Little Sisters
are indebted to you for your most generous contribution. In their name
I thank you."
"And I am equally indebted to them for the pleasure I have been
permitted to enjoy this evening," I replied.
She bowed to me, and passed on, on her uncle's arm, towards the
entrance. When they had departed I obtained my hat and cloak, and in
my turn left the building. During the last ten minutes my spirits had
been dropping down and down until they reached zero. Never since I had
consented to Don Guzman's plan had my business in Equinata seemed so
hazardous or indeed so despicable to me. I felt that I would have
given anything never to have set eyes on my tempter, or to have
listened to his invidious proposal. However, I am not going to
moralize. I've my story to tell, and tell it I must, and in as few
words as possible.
When I left the Opera House, the moon was sailing in a cloudless sky,
and, in consequence, the streets were almost as light as day. It was a
little after midnight, and I had not ordered the boat to meet me at
the wharf until one o'clock. I had therefore plenty of time at my
disposal. As I passed out of the Great Square and entered the Calle de
San Pedro, the cathedral clock chimed the quarter past the hour. I
strolled leisurely along, so that it was half-past by the time I
reached the wharf. Then I lighted another cigar, and, seating myself
on a stone block, prepared to await the arrival of the boat. I had
perhaps been seated there ten minutes, when, suddenly, and before I
could do anything to protect myself, a bag or cloth, I could not tell
which, was thrown over my head, and my arms were pinioned from behind.
Then a voice said in Spanish, "Lift him up, and bring him along.
There's not a moment to lose." Thereupon a man took hold of my
shoulders and another my legs, and I felt myself being carried along,
though in what direction I could not of course tell. A few seconds
later, however, I was dumped down on the wooden floor of what was
evidently a cart. The crack of a whip followed, and we were off at a
brisk pace somewhere--but where? The bag by this time was coming near
to stifling me. It had been pulled so tight round my head that it was
only with the greatest difficulty I could breathe. Eventually, I
suppose, I must have lost consciousness, for I have no recollection of
anything that happened until I opened my eyes to find myself lying on
the floor of a small, bare room, through the grated windows of which
the moonlight was streaming in. Thank goodness, the bag was gone, but
my head ached consumedly, and I felt about as sick and wretched as a
man could well be.
[Illustration: "I felt about as sick and wretched as a man could
well be."]
After a while I sat up, and endeavoured to puzzle out my position.
Where was I? Who was it had made me prisoner? Was it a simple act of
brigandage, having plunder for its motive, or had the President
discovered the plot against him and ordered my arrest? Not one of the
questions could I answer. In the hope of being able to solve the
problem of my whereabouts, however, I got on to my feet and
endeavoured to look out of the window, only to discover that it was
out of my reach, and that I was too weak to draw myself up to it. I
therefore seated myself on the floor once more, for the room or cell,
whichever I cared to call it, was destitute of furniture, and resigned
myself to my miserable thoughts.
To use a stage expression, it was a pretty market I had brought my
pigs to! I had felt so confident that my errand was not known, and
that I should succeed in getting safely out of the country, that I had
neglected the most simple precautions, and in consequence here I was a
prisoner, with the pleasing possibility ahead of me of either having
my throat cut by a common murderer before the night was past, or, what
was more probable, of being propped against a wall and shot by
President Fernandez' soldiers at daybreak. The mere knowledge that I
was still alive, and that my watch, chain, and money had not been
taken from me, pointed to the fact that I was a prisoner of the State,
and not of a private individual. All things considered, it would be
difficult to say which would prove the worse fate.
Putting aside for the moment the question as to whose captive I was, I
examined my watch, and discovered that it was just half-past one. Only
an hour had elapsed since the episode on the wharf--to me, however,
it seemed an Eternity. After a while, feeling stronger, I got on to my
feet again, and began to pace the room. I also tried the door, only to
find it locked. They had got me fast enough. So much was certain. The
next time, I told myself, I crossed the threshold, it would in all
probability be to be haled to a place of execution. For upwards of an
hour I paced the room, calling myself a fool and idiot, and every
other name I could think of, for having allowed myself to be drawn
into such an affair. I recalled that quiet evening at Falstead, when
the idea of the adventure had appeared so attractive to me, and, as I
did so, it seemed to me I could hear Molly's gentle voice saying: "Act
as you think best, dear! I know that it will be all right then." I had
certainly acted on my own judgment, and here I was in consequence!
I was still thinking of Falstead when a sharp cry reached me from the
yard outside, followed by a prolonged scuffling noise. Then there was
a heavy fall, another, and yet another. After that all was silence
once more.
"What on earth is the matter?" I asked myself. "It sounded like a
struggle of some sort. Can they by any chance have captured Ferguson,
and have brought him here to be my fellow-prisoner?"
A few moments later some one approached my door. A key was placed in
the lock and turned, then the door opened, and a man, carrying a
lantern, entered quickly, closing the door behind him. The upper half
of his face was hidden by a black mask. My astonishment may be
imagined when, after he had removed it, I discovered that he was none
other than Don Jose de Hermanos.
"Hush!" he began, holding up his hand as a sign to me not to speak. "I
want you to listen to what I have to say, and not to interrupt me
until I have finished. In the first place, let me inform you that the
President has discovered everything! While you were talking to him
to-night at the ball, he knew why you were in Equinata, and, what is
more, had already laid his plans to effect your arrest. The reason why
he did it so secretly, and why you were not taken to the regular
cartel, is because he does not want, for reasons of his own, to
attract public attention just at present. I was warned in time, but
was unable to communicate with you. Now, by a stratagem, we have
overpowered your gaolers, and you are free!"
"But where am I?" I asked, in the same low voice.
"In the old cartel on the outskirts of the town," Hermanos replied.
"Now I want you to pay attention to what I am about to say to you.
There is still time to retrieve matters, if we go the proper way to
work about it. The President, when he left the ball to-night--and now
you will be able to understand his reasons for leaving so early--drove
out to consult with General Mopaxus, who is lying ill at his house six
miles distant on the road to Sarbassa. The road in question is hilly,
and it will take him at least an hour to get there. We will say that
he remains with the General an hour. In that case, he should not reach
the Capital until four o'clock at the earliest. Word must be sent to
the captain of the yacht to shift his moorings and to have a boat
ashore at the little bay of Horejos at three o'clock. Horejos is three
miles outside the city, and Fernandez will have to pass through the
village on his way home. We must catch him at any hazard."
"How many men have you with you?"
"Seven," he replied.
"Can they be relied upon?"
"To the death! They know that their own safety depends upon getting
Fernandez out of the way. Four of them he has suspected for some time
past. They would prefer to shoot him, and so make sure of him, but as
there are definite orders against that, they feel that the next best
thing they can do is to get him out of the country. And between
ourselves, that is exactly my own case."
"And what about the Guards here?"
"They are safe for the present," he answered. "But no time must be
lost, for it is more than likely that at daybreak others will come to
take their places."
"And how am I to communicate with Ferguson?"
He fumbled in his pocket for a moment.
"Here is a sheet of paper, an envelope, and a pencil. He knows your
writing, of course. When you have written it, one of my men shall take
it aboard. If he has to get steam up, there is not any too much time
for him to do so. Every moment is of the utmost importance."
I forthwith pencilled a hasty note to the captain, bidding him get up
steam, weigh anchor, and have a boat ashore in Horejos Bay at three
o'clock, and stand by to leave Equinata at latest by four o'clock.
This note I handed to Hermanos, and when I had done so, followed him
from the cell.
Once outside, I found myself in a large yard, illuminated by the
bright moonlight. I looked about me for the bodies of my captors, but
was informed by my companion that they had been securely bound and
placed in an adjoining cell. On hearing our steps, six figures
appeared from the shadow of the wall. They did not speak, but at a
sign from Hermanos, one went on ahead and opened the gates, whereupon
two of them passed out. After an interval of some thirty seconds, two
more disappeared in the same mysterious fashion, the remaining pair
making themselves scarce when the same duration of time had elapsed.
"Now it is our turn," Hermanos whispered. "With the exception of the
man who has gone to the yacht, each company will proceed to the
rendezvous by different routes through the city. Fernandez has spies
everywhere, and we must be careful that our behaviour does not attract
their attention. To that end I have brought this poncho and hat for
you."
I had noticed a bundle upon the ground, and had wondered what it might
be. My own hat had disappeared, goodness only knows where. So placing
the sombrero on my head, I pulled the poncho over my shoulders, and
then we, in our turn, left the cartel.
As Hermanos had said, the lock-up was on the outskirts of the city,
and the locality through which he led me was quite unknown to me.
What was the end of our adventure to be?