Part 19 (1/2)

Dinner was a lengthy function, but the last course was served, and so their places to speak to their friends, when Sarlad of the general ht help hi round quickly, he noted that Go up carelessly, he stood between the secretary and Don Martin He faced Sarmiento, and the latter stopped when he saw Grahaue had entto a waiter as he passed

Evelyn rose and waited by her chair So on, and the hint of intrigue excited her She trusted Grahauessed that it had so Gomez, and she meant to help him if she had an opportunity

The secretary suddenly pushed back his chair, and Grahame felt his heart beat Sarmiento was not far from the door, and his back was toward his enemy, but he would have to turn at the end of the table, and that would bring his profile into view It seeh Graha his head as he tightened his sash His face was still hidden when he reached the door, but Graha round, saw Go, and Grahaonist He was unaware that Evelyn, who guessed his intention, was close behind him

There was more room on Gomez's side of the table, and Grahame was delayed by several ladies whom he could not push aside He would have risked some apparent rudeness, but dared not make a disturbance Gomez had almost reached the door when a man collided with hiy in bad Castilian, for he saw that Macallister had given Sarmiento a few roup of wo to avoid one of the the passage The man was close to her when she stopped and bent doith a warning cry

”Take care, senor! I have dropped a ring”

Goet past her, and his eyes blazed with fury His polish was superficial, and Evelyn saw soery beneath She flinched, but plucked up her courage

”It is a valuable ring, and will break if you tread on it,” she said

”Move then!” Gomez commanded harshly; and when she stepped back her dress uncovered the ring Its setting was of sht easily have been crushed

Goave it to her with a bow Then he hurried on; but when he reached the _patio_ it was ee, heard his ugly excla back, but her manner indicated that she did not wish to speak

After a time Grahame strolled out from the front of the hotel, and looked round as he turned a corner nobody followed hi in the shadow soer?” the Spaniard asked

”Go-roonize me?”

”I don't think so, but I can't be sure He was suspicious But it's hardly prudent to stand talking in the street”

They entered a shabby cafe, and, choosing a quiet corner, ordered wine

”If our friend's suspicions are aroused, he'll lose no ti theh the cafe was almost empty he avoided the secretary's nao on board to-night It seems to me that I'd better embark”

”But the Pinillo liners don't call at your port!” Grahame said

Sarmiento smiled

”It may puzzle our friend if he watches the mole When I have been on board I will return quietly, but not to the hotel I know this city, where I have trustworthy acquaintances I ht hihter?”

”I do not think our friend knows her, and our name is not on the hotel book There is a Cuban lady I can leave her with”

”One would ierous There are half-breed rascals in the port ouldn't hesitate about sandbagging or stabbing you for a few dollars But, after all, you run some risk at Rio Frio”