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"I do not, sir, though I think it likely that he has started for Siboney, where we had planned to go together to watch the American ships." "Then you will accompany Major Alvarez to that place, find the Señor Remelios, and use your friendly influence to bring him back here. If for any reason he should refuse to come, he must be compelled by force, for he is suspected of being an American spy.
Adios, Señor Remelios. May your night's rest be peaceful." Perceiving that resistance or protest would be useless, Ridge passively allowed himself to be led away. A file of soldiers stood outside, and, surrounded by these, he was marched to the guardhouse, where, after being searched and relieved of everything contained by his pockets, he was led into a bare, cell-like room.
Then, wondering in which direction his duty really lay, he departed in company with the Major, who was impatient to make good his charges against the Señor Remelios. Lieutenant Navarro had been moody and unhappy ever since the coming of the American transports. He had not confided his trouble to his companion, but had performed his duties mechanically, and would not talk of anything else.
"If Don José Remelios desires the company of Ramon Navarro into Santiago, I am ready." "Good Heavens, man!" "Hush! Tell them you can wait no longer. Set forth alone, follow the railroad, and I will meet you." Then, before Ridge could reply, the figure darted away and was lost in the night shadows.
With this understanding, and having arranged a place of meeting, the young trooper set forth on his twelve-mile ride over the narrow trails of the broken and densely wooded hill country lying southeast from Sevilla, while Navarro hastened to obey the summons of the Spanish General. "How long have you known the Señor Remelios?" was the first question asked of the young Lieutenant.
So if you have a desire to view the Yankee ships at close range I shall be pleased to have you accompany it. Possibly you speak the English, in which case you might prove of use as interpreter." "I do not speak it so well as does my friend the Señor Remelios," replied Lieutenant Navarro, to whom this invitation had been extended.
Half an hour afterwards, Ridge, addressed as Señor Remelios, stood in the presence of General Pando, the Spanish commander of the eastern diocese of the island, and second only to the Captain-General, who was carefully reading a despatch just handed him by the young trooper. "You say, señor, that you have just come from Gibara, where you were secretly landed last night?" "Yes, General."
The next moment they were on deck, when the "Señor Remelios" could barely control his joyful emotions at finding himself once more among his countrymen and beneath his country's flag. After a brief transaction of business the guests were invited into the ward-room, which they had scarcely entered when word was passed that the one speaking English was again wanted on deck.
Now, therefore, I, José Remelios, bearer of despatches from the Señor Carranza, denounce this man as a doubly dyed traitor, and demand that he be arrested on a charge of being a Cuban spy." "Have you ever seen him kill a Spaniard?" asked General Pando. Ridge was obliged to admit that he had not. "Then how do you know that he has done so?" "From his own boastful confession.
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