“Speak out plainly,” he added.  “What evidence is there of danger?”

“In my last letter, you will remember, I expressed some fear on this head, and mentioned my purpose to go to Washington and assume a disguise.”

“I do, and have felt troubled about it.”

“Well, I was off by the early train on the next morning.  As good or bad luck would have it, the very man who sat next me in the cars was an individual I had met in the family of Mr. Ellis.  He knew me, but played shy for some time.  I pretended not to recognise him at first, but turning to him suddenly, after we had been under way for ten minutes or so, I said, as if I had but just become aware of his identity, ’Why, how are you?  I did not know that I had an acquaintance by my side.’  He returned my warm greeting rather distantly; but there was too much at stake to mind this, and I determined to thaw him out, which I accomplished in due time.  I found him a free sort of a man to talk, after he got going, and so I made myself quite familiar, and encouraged him to be outspoken.  I knew he had heard something about my adventure at Mr. Willet’s, and determined to get from him the stories that were afloat on that subject.  All came in good time.  But the exaggeration was tremendous.  Fanny had concealed nothing from her father, and he nothing from Mr. Willet.  I was known as your agent and accomplice, and there was a plan concocting to get possession of my person, and, through me, of yours.  ‘Take a friend’s advice,’ said the man to me, as we stepped from the cars at Washington, ‘and give—­a wide berth in future.’  I did take his advice, kept straight on, and am here.”

“Confusion!” The pallid face of Lyon had flushed again, and was now dark with congestion.

“When will the next boat leave for Vera Cruz?” inquired Leach.

“Day after to-morrow,” was answered.

“We are in peril here every hour.”

“But cannot leave earlier.  I hope your fears have magnified the danger.”

“If there be danger at all, it cannot be magnified.  Let them once get you in their hands, and they will demand a fearful retribution.”

“I am well aware of that, and do not mean to be left in their power.”

“The telegraph has, no doubt, already put the authorities here on the alert.  My very arrival may have been noted.  It will not do for us to be seen together.”

“Ha!  I did not think of that!” Lyon was more deeply disturbed.  “You had better go from here at once.  Where is your baggage?”

“I ordered it to be sent up.”

“Let me see after that.  At once pass over to the Levee; go on board the first boat that is leaving, whether bound up the river or for Galveston.  Only get off from the city, and then make your way to Mexico.  You will find me there.”

Fear had now seized upon both of the men, and each saw consternation in the other’s face.

“I am off at the word,” said Leach, as he grasped the hand of his companion.