Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/197

 "Business, my dear Don Manada, I am at present officiating as a war correspondent. Will you not come ashore and take dinner with me?"

"A thousand thanks, Senor Ashley; but," with a smile intended to be significant, "I believe it would be wise for me to remain here for the present."

"By the way," says Ashley, "you recollect that interview at the Fifth Avenue hotel a week or so ago?" Manada nods smilingly. "Well, I met a gentleman to-day who spoke rather slightingly of the views which you therein expressed. Perhaps you know him. Gen. Murillo."

"Murillo!" cries the Cuban. "Ha! Is he in Santiago?"

"He was half an hour ago."

"Was he alone? That is, was he not accompanied"

"By the fair Mrs. Harding?" supplies Ashley.

Manada's face flushes. "Ah, you know her?" he says.

"Slightly," returns Jack. "No; Mrs. Harding was not with the general, though she may be in the neighborhood. They left New York together. Now, Don Manada, having imparted some information to you, I should esteem it a great favor if you would reciprocate." Ashley glances about and notices that they are out of hearing. "I will not ask you why you happen to be on the Semiramis, as I have no disposition to pry into your affairs, but I should like to know how Mr. Felton and Miss Hathaway came to be aboard of the yacht?"

Manada shrugs his shoulders. "I have not an idea," he says. "An hour before the Semiramis sailed they were driven to the pier in company with the owner of the yacht. Where they came from I cannot say."

"Did they appear to be well acquainted with one another?"

"Very nearly strangers, I should say. Senor Felton kept his stateroom during nearly all the voyage and seemed to avoid Senor Van Zandt."

Ashley is now getting some information of decided interest. "And Miss Hathaway? Did she appear to share the distrust or dislike?"