“Tell him what?”

“He has two bitter and implacable enemies, who are sworn to take his life.”

Hyde shook his head gravely.

“It is true, as Heaven is my witness—­perfectly true.  But read this if you doubt me,” and the boy, who was no other than Mariquita in disguise, produced the scrap of paper she had picked up in the shop in Bombardier Lane.

“I did not doubt your words.  I was thinking of those enemies—­one of them, at least—­and wondering why she is permitted to live.”

He took the letter, and read it slowly.

“Her handwriting!  I was sure of it.  To whom was this addressed?”

“Benito Villegas.  Perhaps you know him—­he is a native of the Rock.”

“I remember him years ago.  And has he carried out these instructions?  Is he here?”

“I cannot make out.  I have looked for him, but have been unable to find him.”

“Not at the address stated here?  You have been to it?”

“Several times, but have never seen him.”

“He is probably in some disguise; that would suit his purpose best.  We will hunt him up, never fear.  But Stanislas must first be warned.”

“You will go to him—­at once?”

“This very day.  And you—­won’t you come too?”

“No, no!  I cannot.”  Mariquita blushed crimson.  “He would chide me.  It is wrong, I know; I have no right to be here, but he was in such danger.  I risked everything:  his displeasure, my life, my good name.”

“Yes,” said Hyde, thoughtfully; “this is no place for you; it is a pity you came to it.  Still, we should not have known but for you; as it is, you had better stay here.”

“With Mother Charcoal?”

“Just so.  She is a worthy old soul, and can be trusted.  It will be best, I think, to tell her the exact state of the case.  Leave that to me.”

“You will not delay in warning Stanislas?” said Mariquita, placing her hand on his arm.

“No; I will go directly after I have spoken to our black friend.  Be easy in your mind, little woman, or Senor Pongo, or whatever you like to be called, and expect to see me again, and perhaps some one else you know, within a day or two from now.”

Fate, however, decreed that Hyde should be unavoidably delayed in his errand of warning.

On leaving Mother Charcoal’s shanty the second time, he found that his horse had disappeared.  It had been hitched up to a hook near the doorway, in company with several others, and all were now gone.

“Some mistake?  Scarcely that.  One of those rascally sailor thieves, rather; not a four-footed beast is safe from them.  What a nuisance it is!  I suppose I must walk back to camp.”

What chafed Hyde most was the delay in getting to headquarters.  He had already made up his mind to find McKay as soon as he could, and tell him exactly what had occurred.