The yacht, he learnt, had left only a week or two before.  It had lingered a couple of months at the Golden Horn, during which time General Wilders lay between life and death.

Mortification at last set in, and then all hope was gone.  The general died, and was buried at Scutari, after which Mrs. Wilders, still utilising the Arcadia, started for England.

The yacht, a fast sailer, made good progress, and was already at anchor in Gibraltar Bay on the morning that McKay arrived.

“Shall I go on board and tax her with her misdeeds?” McKay asked himself.  “No; she can wait.  I have more pressing and more pleasant business on hand.”

His first visit was to the Convent.  “You shall have every assistance from us,” said the Governor, Sir Thomas Drummond.  “But what do you propose to do, and how can I help?”

“My object, sir, is to collect all the animals I can in the shortest possible time.  I propose, first, to set the purchase going here—­under your auspices, if you agree—­then visit Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona, and ship off all I can secure.”

“An excellent plan.  Well, you shall have my hearty co-operation.  If there is anything else—­”

An aide-de-camp came in at this moment and whispered a few words in his general’s ear.

“What! on shore?  Here in the Convent, too?  Poor soul! of course we will see her.  Let some one tell Lady Drummond.  Forgive me, Mr. McKay:  a lady has just called whom I am bound by every principle of courtesy, consideration, and compassion to see at once.  Perhaps you will return later?”

McKay bowed and passed out into the antechamber.  On the threshold he met Mrs. Wilders face to face.

“You—!” she gasped out, but instantly checked the exclamation of chagrin and dismay that rose to her lips.

“You hardly expected to see me, perhaps; but I was miraculously saved.”

McKay spoke slowly, and the delay gave Mrs. Wilders time to collect herself.

“I am most thankful.  It has lifted a load off my mind.  I feared you were lost.”

“Yes; the sea seldom gives up its prey.  But enough about myself.  You are going in to see the general, I think; do not let me detain you.”

“I shall be very pleased to see you on board the yacht.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Wilders; I am sure you will.  But to me such a visit would be very painful.  My last recollections of the Arcadia are not too agreeable.”

“Of course not.  You were so devoted to my poor dear husband.”

Mrs. Wilders would not acknowledge his meaning.

“But I shall see you again before I leave, I trust.”

“My stay here is very short.  I am only on a special mission, and I must return to the Crimea without delay.  But we shall certainly meet again some day, Mrs. Wilders; you may rely on that.”

There was meaning, menace even, in this last speech, and it gave Mrs.
Wilders food for serious thought.