and have been absent ever since. I was thinking that I would call upon
the Capitan-General, and ask him if any of his people had ever been able
to find a clue to the identity of the guilty parties."
"Were you?" said the Consul. "Then let me very strongly advise you not
to do anything of the kind. He has plenty to worry him just now without
being reminded of an exceedingly unpleasant and annoying incident. And,
finally, be persuaded by me to clear out of Cuba at the very earliest
possible moment; for the island is certainly at present no place for a
young fellow like you, who have a good business at home, and no business
at all here. Even if you are serious in your idea of purchasing land
and establishing a tobacco-growing estate, this is certainly not the
time at which to engage in such an undertaking: for, in the first place,
the very strong suspicion and distrust with which the authorities at the
present moment regard all foreigners would render it almost impossible
for you to secure an inalienable title to your land; and, in the next
place, when all other difficulties were surmounted, you would find that
no labourers were to be had--every mother's son of them being an
insurgent, either openly or secretly--and consequently you could get no
work done on your land. Therefore it will manifestly be prudent for you
to postpone your undertaking until the present imbroglio is at an end
and the island is at peace once more. And now, I am afraid that I must
bid you good-morning; for this insurrection has piled up a lot of extra
business for me as well as for others. But I have given you the very
best advice of which I am capable, and I hope that you will not only
think it over but very speedily act upon it; for I tell you candidly
that Cuba is an exceedingly unsafe place for any Englishman just now."
"Upon my word," said Jack, "I am very much disposed to believe that you
are right; and I will certainly think over what you have said. Good-
bye, and many thanks for your most excellent advice!"
But even as the young man left the office and issued upon the crowded
street, he knew that he had not the remotest intention of acting upon
the Consul's advice, to the extent of leaving Cuba at all events: for he
felt that he was morally pledged to stand by the Montijos, so long as
they might need him; and there was the complication of the ownership of
the yacht, which would need a great deal of straightening out; and,
lastly, his close association with the lovely Senorita Isolda, during
the four months' cruise just ended, had not been without its effect upon
him; so that, taking things all round, he told himself that for him to
leave Cuba at present was quite out of the question.
When Jack set about making the necessary arrangements for the docking of
the _Thetis_ he at once found himself confronted with that adamantine
procrastination which constitutes such a serious flaw in the Spanish
character; _manana_ (to-morrow) is the word that is most often in the
Spaniard's mouth, and his invincible determination never to do to-day
what can possibly be postponed until the morrow is perhaps as marked a
national characteristic as is the indomitable pride of every Spaniard,
from the highest grandee down to the meanest beggar to be found outside
a church door. Thus, although the dock happened at that moment to be
empty, Singleton found it absolutely impossible to infuse into the dock-
officials the energy necessary to enable them to make arrangements for
the entrance of the yacht on that day. _Manana_ was the word, wherever
he turned; and _manana_ it had to be. And even when at length, late on
the following day, the vessel was safely docked and the steam pumps
started by which the water was to be pumped out of the enclosure and the
vessel left dry and accessible to the workmen, it proved so exceedingly
difficult to prevail upon these workmen to get to work that at length
Jack and Milsom, driven to despair, and with their patience absolutely
exhausted, were obliged to set their own people on to the job of
removing from the ship's bottom the thick growth of barnacles and sea
grass with which it was encrusted, and afterwards to cover the steel
plating with a fresh coating of anti-fouling composition. It was thus a
full week from the date of the yacht's arrival in Havana harbour ere she
was once more afloat and ready for sea, and Jack at length felt himself
free to fulfil his promise to rejoin the Montijo family at their
hacienda.
CHAPTER TWELVE.
BAD NEWS.
It was a glorious morning when Jack, after an early breakfast, made his
way to the railway station and, having written two days before to
apprise his friends of his coming, demanded a first-class ticket for
Pinar del Rio. He was gratified to find that not only were there no
troops going by his train, but also that very few people were travelling
by it, and that he was therefore likely to be able to secure a
compartment to himself; for he found himself in a most unaccountable
state of excitement at the prospect of meeting his friends once more,
and was also acutely conscious of a desire to be absolutely alone in
order that he might be free to picture to himself the precise manner in
which "she" would be likely to receive him. There was also another
reason why the young man was anxious to be alone during his journey,
which was that, mingling curiously with the feeling of exhilaration
resulting from pleasurable anticipation, there was a certain vague
uneasiness, traceable to the fact that no word, either by telegram or
letter, had come to him from any member of the Montijo family since he
had said _au revoir_ to them on that platform nine days ago. He had not
had much time to dwell upon this fact while the yacht was in dock;
indeed, he had been so exceedingly busy, and so dog-tired at the end of
each day's work, that it had scarcely obtruded itself upon his
attention: but now he began to worry himself as to why it was that
someone--by which he really meant Dona Isolda--had not been able to find
time to drop him so much as two or three lines to say that they had
arrived safely, and were hoping to see him soon. Of course, as he told
himself, there was no very particular reason why anyone should have
written so very vapid and commonplace a piece of intelligence as that
they had arrived home safely, for it might be taken for granted that
they had done so: the trains in Cuba travelled too slowly, and the
traffic was too meagre, to admit of the possibility of an accident--and,
moreover, there had been no news of any such thing; and, apart from an
accident, there was absolutely no reason that Jack could think of why
his friends should not reach their destination in safety. Yet this
young man, usually so reasonable and level-headed, was now fast worrying
himself into a fever because certain people had not done something which
he constantly assured himself there was not the slightest need for them
to have done. And when at length the train drew up at the platform of
Pinar del Rio station, and he saw Senor Eugenio Calderon, Don Hermoso's
manager, waiting thereon, his heart sank, a momentary feeling of
sickness and giddiness seized him, and as he reeled out of the carriage
on to the platform he muttered to himself: "I knew it; I was certain
that something was wrong!" Then he pulled himself together and turned
to greet Senor Calderon as unconcernedly as might be.
"Well, Senor Calderon, how are you, and how are all at the hacienda?" he
exclaimed. "Don Hermoso received my note, I suppose, and--?"
"Let us walk to the end of the platform, Senor," replied Calderon,
drawing him away out of earshot of the little crowd of alighting and
embarking passengers. "I received your letter, Senor Singleton, and, in
the absence of Don Hermoso, opened it, as I have opened all letters
arriving for him since he left the hacienda. And when I had read it I
came to the conclusion that it was my duty to meet you here upon your
arrival; for, Senor, I can no longer hide from myself the fear that
something untoward has befallen Don Hermoso and his family. I duly
received the telegram which he dispatched to me from Havana, apprising
me of his arrival there and his intention to return home that same day,
and, as requested by the message, I dispatched the carriage here to meet
the train by which he said he intended to travel; but on the following
day the carriage returned to the house with the intelligence that
neither Don Hermoso nor any of the family had arrived, either by the
train indicated in the telegram, or by any subsequent train. From this
I very naturally concluded that something had occurred to detain the
party in Havana, and I looked, from day to day, for a letter or message
of some kind explaining the delay; but nothing came, and when at length
I received your letter, and gathered from it that you believed the
family to be at home, I at once felt that something very wrong had
happened, and came to the conclusion that the proper thing for me to do
was to meet you here and inform you of all the circumstances."
"Of course," concurred Jack; "that certainly was the proper thing to do.
But what can possibly have happened to them all? And why the dickens
did you not write to me at once when the party failed to turn up?"
"I can see now that I ought to have done so," said Calderon. "But you
see, Senor," he added in excuse; "I was constantly expecting to hear
from Don Hermoso, explaining his absence and naming another day for his
arrival; and in this condition of expectancy the days slipped away."
"Yes," assented Jack grimly; "I see. Well, it is useless to worry about
that now; the question is: What has become of them all? People do not
disappear in that mysterious fashion without a cause. It is certain
that they did not remain in Havana, for I saw them off; and if they had
gone back to the city they would have returned to the yacht, or
communicated with me in some way. And it is equally certain that when
they stepped aboard the train that morning, they fully intended to
return to the house. Their disappearance, therefore, is involuntary on
their part; I am confident of that. Now, what can be the explanation of
this most singular occurrence? Can it be that--by the way, Senor
Calderon, have you had any visitors to the house during the absence of
Don Hermoso and his family?"
"Yes, Senor, unfortunately we have had visitors--on one occasion; and
that visit may very possibly--now that you come to mention it--have had
something to do with the disappearance of Senor Montijo and his family.
It occurred some three weeks ago; and the visitors consisted of an
officer of cavalry and a dozen troopers. He--the officer--enquired for
Don Hermoso; and, when told that he was absent from home, demanded the
keys of Don Hermoso's desk, which he compelled me to surrender. And
when I had handed over the keys, the officer sat down at the desk and
spent nearly three hours in going through the whole of Senor Montijo's
private papers, some of which he took away with him."
"Did he make any remark, or say who he was?" demanded Jack.
"No, Senor; neither the one nor the other," answered Calderon.
"How long have you been in Don Hermoso's service?" demanded Jack.
"For eleven years and--let me consider--yes--for eleven years and nine
months, Senor. And I owe to Don Hermoso everything that I have,"
answered Calderon.
"And I suppose you are fully in Don Hermoso's confidence?" asked Jack.
"I believe so, Senor," answered Calderon; "I doubt very much whether he
has any secrets from me. I know, for instance," dropping his voice
almost to a whisper, "that the yacht _Thetis_, which is understood to be
your property, really belongs to him. I also know that she brought out
from England a large consignment of arms, ammunition, and stores for the
use of the insurgents, and that the consignment was landed in the Laguna
de Cortes; and I am fully aware that Senor Montijo is actively
sympathetic with the insurgents--as is every member of his family and
household, down to the meanest stable boy or labourer in the fields."
"In that case," said Jack, "the probability is that the papers which the
unknown cavalry officer took away with him were of a more or less
compromising character, eh?"
"I very much fear so, Senor," answered Calderon. "Or, if not exactly
compromising, at least of such a character as to prove that Don Hermoso
was both sympathetic and in correspondence with the insurgent faction.
Pardon me for saying so, Senor Singleton, but I quite easily perceive,
by your manner, that you are not at all certain of my fidelity to Don
Hermoso. I hope to convince you of that in due time, however; and
meanwhile I honour you for your distrust, for it proves your friendly
interest in my employer and his family. I shall remain here to manage
the estate and guard my employer's interests as long as I am permitted
to do so; and, if I mistake not, you will presently be leaving here to
return to Havana, with the object of discovering what has happened to
Don Hermoso and his family. My own opinion now is that they have all
been arrested as conspirators, upon evidence supplied by those
abstracted papers--and, if so, I say most fervently, God help them! for
the Spaniards will show them no mercy. And, as to my fidelity, Senor,
perhaps I can even now afford you some small proof of it by guiding your
first footsteps in your search for the lost ones. When you return to
Havana, call upon Don Ramon Bergera, whose house is in the Calle del
Ignacio, immediately opposite the mansion of the Capitan-General. He is
a great friend of Don Hermoso, and--although I believe quite unsuspected
by the authorities--an ardent sympathiser with the insurgents; he is
also preternaturally clever in obtaining information of all kinds, and
solving mysteries. Introduce yourself to him; tell him all that you
know of the matter, and all that I have told you; and be guided by him.
And with his skill and your courage, Senor Singleton, I trust that all
may even yet be well with my honoured friend and patron and his family.
Now, here comes your train, Senor; so I will bid you good-bye, and wish
you the best of good luck. Should it be necessary for you to
communicate with me at any time, it will be advisable to do so by
special messenger; for there is only too much reason to suspect that
letters are often scrutinised during their passage through the post
office. Now you will have to be quick if you wish to get your ticket;
so _adios, Senor! Hasta mas verle_."
The sun's last rays were gilding the walls of the Morro and the Cabana
castles when Jack stepped out of the train at Havana Central Station
that evening; but the residence of Don Ramon Bergera was close at hand,
and the young Englishman determined to call, there and then, in the hope
of finding the Don at home. He was fortunately successful; and five
minutes later he found himself in the presence of a fine, distinguished-
looking man, with piercing black eyes that seemed to look one through
and through. Jack was favourably impressed at once, for there was a
look of strength, moral as well as physical, and of straightforwardness,
about the man who faced him, that very powerfully appealed to the simple
honesty of the Englishman, as also did the frank, open-hearted courtesy
of his reception.
"Pray be seated, Senor Singleton," said Don Ramon, placing a chair for
his visitor; "I am very glad to make your acquaintance. Allow me to
offer you a cigar and a glass of sangaree; the latter will refresh you,
for you look hot, tired, and dusty, as though you had just made a
journey."
"I have," said Jack, gratefully accepting the proffered refreshment; and
availing himself forthwith of the opening afforded by Don Ramon's
remark, he proceeded to tell the whole story of the mysterious
disappearance of the Montijo family, winding it up by mentioning that he
had made this call at Calderon's suggestion.
"I am very glad indeed that you acted upon that suggestion," said Don
Ramon. "Calderon is all right; he is absolutely faithful and
trustworthy, and Don Hermoso's interests are perfectly safe in his
hands. And now, let us consider the very serious question of this
mysterious evanishment of my friend and his family. Did I understand
you to say that you actually saw them leave Havana?"
"Yes," said Jack, "I went with them to the station, and chatted with
them until the train pulled out."
"Then," said Don Ramon, "it is obvious that the disappearance occurred
somewhere between Havana and Pinar del Rio--possibly at Santiago, or
maybe at Bejucal. If I cannot hear anything of them elsewhere I will
run down to both those places to-morrow and institute a few judicious
enquiries. Meanwhile, I fear that Senor Calderon's apprehensions as to
the arrest of the entire family are only too well-founded. The fact
that a party of soldiers was sent to search Don Hermoso's house proves
most conclusively that my friend had somehow contrived to arouse the
suspicion of the authorities, which, after all, is not very surprising,
knowing what I do as to Don Hermoso's connection with the insurgents;
and the fact that certain papers were seized by the search party points
to the inference that those papers contained incriminating evidence.
And if they did I can only say that I am heartily sorry for the family,
for since the recent risings the Government is adopting the most
ruthless measures to discourage even passive sympathy with the
insurgents; and we know--you and I--that Don Hermoso's sympathy was
something very much more than passive. Now, there is another question
which I should like to ask you. Do you happen to know whether by any
chance Don Hermoso has been unfortunate enough to make any enemies among
the Government entourage?--for I may tell you that the present moment is
a particularly favourable one for the gratification of private enmity,
if the enemy happens to be connected with the Government."
Jack considered for a moment. "No," he said slowly, "I am not aware of
anything of--stop a moment, though! Yes, by Jove, there is something of
that kind, after all! There is a certain Captain Alvaros, belonging to
one of your infantry regiments, who had the confounded impudence to
propose his marriage with Senorita Isolda, although the young lady is
only about sixteen years of age, I believe; and Don Hermoso, very
rightly, would not hear of it, refused the fellow point-blank, I
understood, and forbade him the house."
"Phew!" whistled Don Ramon, with some show of consternation; "is that
so? Caramba! I am sorry to hear that. What you have just said is
amply sufficient to account for everything. I know a good deal about
Don Sebastian Alvaros, enough to assure you, Senor Singleton, that he
is, as you English say, `a thorough bad egg'; and, worse than that, he
is also a man of some standing and importance in official circles. Now
that you come to mention it, I remember that he was stationed, with his
company, at Pinar del Rio not so very long ago; but within the last two
months he has been made governor of the prison of La Jacoba. Poor Don
Hermoso; I am sorry for him! Of course, knowing Alvaros, as he must
have done, to refuse him was the only thing possible; but it is a bitter
misfortune for him and all his family that the fellow should ever have
had an opportunity to see Dona Isolda. And, of course, he was also
after Don Hermoso's money, knowing, as he doubtless did, that the son-
in-law of Senor Montijo will be an exceedingly lucky man in every
respect. Now, Senor Singleton, have you anything else to tell me?
Because, if not, I will dispense with ceremony and bid you good evening.
Under other circumstances it would have afforded me the greatest
possible pleasure if you would have stayed to dine with me: but after
what you have told me I shall dine at a restaurant not very far from
here, which is largely patronised by officers and Government officials;
possibly I may meet someone there from whom I may be fortunate enough to
extract a little information. And I will not ask you to accompany me,
because it is very desirable that you and I should not be seen together,
and that it should not be known that we are acquainted. For which
reason it will also be advisable that, in the event of our meeting each
other in the street, we should behave as strangers, taking no notice of
each other. But you will naturally be anxious to know how I am
progressing with my enquiries; and it is also desirable that we should
meet and confer together from time to time: therefore our meeting-place
had better be here. But do not enter by the front door, as you did this
evening, lest someone, knowing you by sight, and aware of your
friendship for Don Hermoso--who, you must remember, is a suspected man--
should see you, and the fact of our acquaintance thus become known.
When you have occasion to call upon me--which I trust, Senor, will be
very often--come to the little wicket in the back wall of my garden, by
which I am about to let you out, and I will give my gardener
instructions to admit you whenever you may present yourself; there will
thus be much less chance of our acquaintance with each other becoming
known."
So saying, Don Ramon conducted his visitor down a narrow corkscrew
staircase into a large and most beautiful garden, where Jack and the
gardener were duly confronted with each other, and certain instructions
given to the latter; after which the gate in the wall was opened, and,
with a prior precautionary peep, to ensure that no lurking watcher was
in sight, the young Englishman was gently hustled into a narrow and very
dark and dirty lane.
"Your way lies to the left," murmured Don Ramon, as he shook hands with
Jack and bade him good night. "Walk in the middle of the road; and keep
a wary eye on the courts and passages to right and left of you, as you
pass them. These back streets are always dangerous, and especially so
at night-time; therefore, if anyone should spring out at you, do not
stop to parley, but hit out straight and hard. Good night!"
As it happened, Jack did not see a solitary human being until he
presently emerged into one of the wider and more frequented streets; and
twenty minutes later he was safely on board the _Thetis_ again, to the
great astonishment of Milsom, who had been pacing the deck in an
endeavour to raise an appetite for dinner, and meanwhile picturing to
himself the pleasant time that he supposed Jack to be having at the
hacienda. He was, of course, profoundly concerned at the news which
Jack had to tell him; and spent the remainder of the evening in
alternately invoking sea blessings upon the head of Don Sebastian
Alvaros, wondering what would happen to the Montijos should the
apprehensions of their friends prove correct, and endeavouring to devise
schemes for the discovery and liberation of the family.