Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/278



"To His Excellency, Honorato de Truenos: Indisposition prevents my attending the grand ball to-night and offering my congratulations upon your safe arrival at Santiago. Under the directions of such a general there should be no difficulty in quickly subduing the insurrection, which I believe to be nearly at an end.

Manuel de Quesada. "

"I have been tricked, Gen. Truenos," says Isabel, crushing the paper in her hand.

"It would seem so," remarks the captain-general. It is apparent that he is vastly disappointed. "Come, tell me of your stay at the quinta, all you know concerning Quesada and his movements."

There is much of importance to relate, and when Mrs. Harding has finished her story Truenos summons Capt. Huerta.

"Take a dozen of your men and repair at once to La Quinta de Quesada. You know where it is?" Capt. Huerta knows perfectly. "Ransack the house thoroughly and fetch me every scrap of writing upon the premises. Gen. Murillo, do you follow in the morning and look over the place. Go!" to Huerta.

The latter bows and leaves the room. Mrs. Harding follows. "One moment, Captain Huerta," she says.

A short but earnest conversation ensues. Isabel talks in rapid whispers, and the Spanish captain listens eagerly, while surprise, anger, hope and malicious joy are mirrored in succession upon his swarthy countenance.

"Within ten minutes," he breathes, and hurries away to execute the commands of the captain-general.

"I told you it would be better if you delivered the papers to me during the afternoon," General Murillo tells Mrs. Harding, after Truenos has gone. "Who has been the cause of your undoing?"

Isabel tells him of her suspicions, which she has come to regard as virtual facts, and Murillo is inclined to agree with her.

"The game is not yet played out, general," flashes Isabel.

"Well, take care, take care," admonishes Murillo, as they separate.

"Ah, here is the very man now," frowns the general,