Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/228

 "I must keep my eye on those two gentlemen," he mutters, "and trust to Providence to throw Barker in my way, if indeed he has not already struck the trail. By the stars that shine, but there is a strangely assorted trio, unless I am clear off my reckoning. Nemesis is trailing his inevitable victim with said victim's father, and sooner or later they must meet. What is the town beyond here?" Ashley asks Landlord Carter.

"Cadoza," the innkeeper informs him.

"I believe I'll jog along to that point, anyhow," Jack decides; "and if nothing turns up in the line of excitement within twenty-four hours, then back to Santiago."

CHAPTER XL.

THE APPEARANCE OF THE SERPENT.

Half a dozen hours from the time that Jack Ashley mounts his newly acquired Rozinante and rides forth from Santiago on his journey into the west, a visitor arrives at Le Quinta de Quesada.

The Don and his daughter are seated on the veranda, the former dreaming of the day when Cuba shall be free, the latter of the blue-eyed young man who at the moment is many miles on his journey toward Havana and is expressing his opinion of Cuban roads in comical apostrophes, rivaling the natural extravagance of Spanish conversation.

"A visitor," remarks Quesada, as the crunching of carriage wheels sounds in the driveway, and Juanita's day dreams are abruptly terminated by the appearance of a vehicle, not a Cuban every-day volante, but a four-wheeled affair, the best that Santiago can provide.

The carriage draws up before the quinta, the driver opens the door with a profound obeisance, and out steps a lady whose radiant beauty rather dazzles the Cuban gentleman, who advances with easy grace to meet her.