I saw Barosa’s sinister influence behind. Sampayo had evidently told him at once what I had done; he had instantly sent instructions to Miralda to take the letter but not to read it; and his power over her was too great for her to dare to disobey. To break down his influence appeared impossible; it meant a fight against the whole forces of this infernal conspiracy. And then a somewhat wild, harum-scarum alternative occurred to me--to carry her away from it all on the _Stella_. Vasco was out of danger, and so far as she herself was in danger from the Government, she could smile at it when we were once in old England. Vasco was already on the yacht. Could I use him to get her there? And if I did, would she resent my trick or come to view it as the best, if not the only way out? Burroughs was at my rooms when I arrived, and he was just the man to help me in such a plan; but I would not broach it until I had had more time to think it round. I was still undecided when Barosa arrived. I guessed his object but greeted him pleasantly. He was, however, too engrossed by the reasons which had brought him to make any sort of pretence, and the moment we had shaken hands, he plunged into the subject. “I have come to see you about Major Sampayo, Mr. Donnington. I regret to hear that you and he have quarrelled.” “Scarcely quarrelled, doctor. At least I should not use that term; and pardon me if I say that it is a strictly personal matter.” “I cannot regard it so; that is why I have come. You have threatened to use certain information you possess and have required him to leave Lisbon at once.” “I should put it very differently, of course.” “We need not split hairs,” he replied bluntly. “I do not care to be addressed quite so curtly, Dr. Barosa. If you wish to tell me anything or to make any sort of request, I am willing to listen in a friendly spirit. But not otherwise.” “I have no wish to offend, but the matter is serious. I have explained to you once before that we are under great obligations to Major Sampayo, and any action directed against him is felt to be directed equally against us.” “Of course I cannot take that view. I have nothing to do with your aims or concerns or plans. My action is strictly individual. But perhaps you will put in plain terms exactly what you wish.” “That your persecution of Major Sampayo shall cease.” “Persecution! There is no persecution. Are you aware that he even attempted my life?” “Not for a moment, Mr. Donnington. You refer to the Rua Catania letter. That has all been explained. He was not satisfied that you would keep your pledge of secrecy and intended that merely as a test.” “Is it possible that he has persuaded you to believe that?” “Otherwise I should not say it, Mr. Donnington.” “Well, I don’t, and nothing would ever make me. He forged my name to the letter and managed to let you know of it somehow in his belief that you would deal with me as a liar and traitor. I know the man.”