“Carlyle,” he said brusquely, “you have touched the exact point—­I do not know.  I thought I did, of course, but what has occurred on the voyage over has led me to doubt.  I met Sanchez at the Colonial Club in London.  He was introduced to me by Lord Sandhurst as a wealthy young Spaniard, traveling for pleasure.  It was understood that he brought letters of introduction to a number of high personages.  He knew London well, enjoyed a wide circle of acquaintances, and we became rather intimate.  I found him companionable and deeply interested in America, which he said he had never visited.  Finally I invited him to accompany me as a guest on my return.”

“He accepted?”

“No, not at once; he doubted if he could break off certain business engagements in England.  Then, at a reception, he chanced to meet my niece, and, a little later, decided to undertake the voyage.  I am inclined to believe she was the determining factor.”

“Very likely,” I admitted, deciding now to learn all possible details.  “However, that is not to be wondered at.  Mistress Dorothy is an exceedingly attractive young woman.”

The look he gave me was far from pleasant.

“But she is not a girl for any swash-buckling Spaniard to carry off as prize,” he burst out hotly.  “God’s mercy!  Her father would never forgive me if that happened.”

“Never fear,” I said dryly, “it is not going to happen.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because I have seen them together, and am not entirely blind, Watch them now—­she scarcely responds to his words.”

His eyes rested for a moment on the two, but he only shook his head moodily.

“No one knows what is in the heart of a woman, Carlyle.  Sanchez is fairly young, handsome in a way, and adventurous.  Just the sort to attract a young girl, and he possesses an easy tongue.  More than that, I have lost faith in him.  He is not a gentleman.”

“You surely must have reason for those words, sir,” I exclaimed in surprise.  “He has revealed to you his true nature during the voyage?”

“Unconsciously—­yes.  We have had no exchange of words, no controversy.  He is even unaware that I have observed these things.  Some were of very small moment, perhaps unworthy of being repeated, although they served to increase my doubt as to the man’s character.  But two instances remain indelibly stamped on my mind.  The first occurred when we were only three days at sea.  It was at night, and the two of us chanced to be alone, on deck.  I was reclining in the shadow of the flag locker, in no mood for conversation, and he was unaware of my presence as he tramped nervously back and forth.  Suddenly he stopped, and reached over into the quarter-boat, and when he stood up again he had the Captain’s pet cat in his hands.  Before I dreamed of such a thing he had hurled that helpless creature into the water astern.”

“Good God! an act of wanton cruelty.”