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Clif knew the papers must indeed be of especial value from the rear admiral's manner, for it was decidedly unusual for an officer of such importance to unbend to that extent with an ordinary cadet. The rear admiral was evidently more than satisfied with the result of Clif's mission.
Bessie Stuart was clinging to Clif's arm and urging him on. "Have you got some place to hide us?" she inquired anxiously of the officer. "It is hardly likely that I would leave you here," was the other's quiet answer. "Come." He led them away from the prison. A short distance off there was standing a small closed carriage. "Here it is," said the Spaniard. "Step in."
The girl was a dear friend of Clif's who had come to Cuba to hunt for a relative of hers. Clif had left her under the protection of Gomez; and that was the last he had heard of her. And here was the brutal Spaniard mentioning her. How had he and how had the villainous Ignacio learned about her? It was small wonder that Clif started back; Bessie Stuart was the dearest friend he had.
He knew that the vindictive fellow would follow his every move; Ignacio was acting as a spy for the Spaniards, and so must have found it easy to keep track of the cadet's whereabouts. But so far Clif had not met him. "We are likely to have a wild night of it," said Lieutenant Raymond. "The clouds seem to get darker every minute." "It'll be a night for the blockade-runners," was Clif's answer.
Faraday," he exclaimed upon learning Clif's identity, and having released him from his bonds, "we were not aware that they had an American on board as a prisoner." "I thought not, from the way you were firing at us," said Clif, with a smile. "I thought more than once that you would send this particular American to the bottom along with the shipload of the enemy.
The Spanish boat was making really a phenomenal run, and had reached a point where it was evident that if they maintained their speed they would soon be past the dangerous line. That once reached they could show the Yankee boat a clean pair of heels. Clif's spirits fell when he realized that the Spaniards had good cause for their jubilation.
He had done nothing but his duty and the law of nations would have justified him. The officer seemed to realize the smallness of difference, for he turned to Ignacio. "Are you perfectly sure," he demanded, "that you heard our vessel announce her identity?" "I am, senor." "And what was her name?" Clif's eyes brightened at that; he thought Ignacio would be caught there.
Clif's practiced ear told him that the enemy had halted; but at the same time he recognized marks of enthusiasm among the Spanish forces. What could it mean? "Do they think they can scare us off by yelling at us?" exclaimed Clif, contemptuously. "They don't know us, if they think so that's all!" The group of Americans listened intently.
Ignacio's face was almost touching Clif's as he hissed that. "You can't get away!" he yelled. "And, oh, the things that I shall do to you! I've got instruments up stairs to tear you to pieces, burn your eyes out but never kill you, oh, no! And all night you will scream, and all to-morrow, if I choose. And I will watch you I and the rats. And the rats will eat you, too!"
And he held in one hand a revolver and was aiming it straight at Clif's head. That had been a cleverly managed stroke, and it left the young officer simply paralyzed. All he could do was to stare into the muzzle of that weapon. He realized of course in a flash how he had been duped. And he was in a trap!
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