And it would be fine to punish a Yankee pig for such a crime as this. As for Clif, he was filled with a kind of dull despair; he knew the odds against him, and realized that his struggles would be those of a caged animal. He had done nothing but his duty and the law of nations would have justified him. But Ignacio's lie upon that one small point (of what the Spanish gunboat had done) was enough to make him liable to death. The officer seemed to realize the smallness of difference, for he turned to Ignacio. "Are you perfectly sure," he demanded, "that you heard our vessel announce her identity?" "I am, senor." "And what was her name?" Clif's eyes brightened at that; he thought Ignacio would be caught there. But the cunning fellow was prepared, and answered instantly. "The Regina." He had chosen the name of a Spanish gunboat he knew to be at sea; and the ruse worked. "What more can you expect?" demanded the officer of Clif. And then the cadet looked up to make the last effort for his life. "As I have told you," he said, "this fellow's story is false. And now I will tell you why he has done it. He has long been an enemy of mine, and he is making an effort to ruin me. I foiled him----" "If you are going to tell me about that attempt of his to kill your Yankee admiral," interrupted the officer, "I know it already." And Ignacio gave a chuckle of glee. "In fact," the officer added, "I have learned of all your adventures, young man. And I have no doubt you consider yourself quite a hero after what you have done against Spain. But you will live to regret it, I think." And Clif saw that he had nothing to gain by pursuing that tack any further; he was silent, for he knew nothing more to do. The Spaniard went on: "I know also of another affair of yours," he added. "It seems that your pig government sent a naval officer over to see that bandit robber Gomez. And our friend here, Ignacio, was leading him into our camp. I believe that was it, was it not, Ignacio?" "It was, senor, and this Yankee here met us----" "And wounded you and rescued the officer, with the aid of some of the robber's men, and that girl you told me about." "Exactly," said Ignacio. "What was her name?" the other continued. "Stuart, I think. We will soon manage to stop her tricks, I fancy." Clif had been listening to their conversation without any particular interest. But suddenly as he heard that last speech his face flushed crimson and he half staggered back. "Bessie Stuart!" he gasped, under his breath. The Spanish officer was looking at him and he laughed as he saw the American's thunderstruck expression. "Ha! ha!" he chuckled, "so you are interested in her, are you? A sweetheart, perhaps, hey?" Clif did not answer that; he was staring at the man in horror. Stop her! What in the world could he mean? What could he know about Bessie Stuart? The girl was a dear friend of Clif's who had come to Cuba to hunt for a relative of hers.