The day following the Taylor's party Don Pedro seemed to have determined to get rid of as much paper money in exchange for gold as possible, and during the day he sent more than twenty thousand dollars to be exchanged; of this amount Lesparre and Madame Sevier handled the greater portion, but even the young man, Salter, was entrusted with three thousand dollars in paper, for which he obtained gold at a trifling discount. This method of exchanging money was repeated several times, it being evidently the Don's intention to retain nothing but gold in his possession, and as he had already obtained the greater portion of his plunder in coin, it was not long before he had accomplished his object. Meantime, the preparations for the _fête_ went on apace, and the time of the Don and Lesparre was quite fully occupied in planning and arranging the details. The Senator called to see me daily, and his constant urging somewhat excited me, so that I became nervous and apprehensive myself. Still, no news came from abroad, and I could do nothing. CHAPTER VI. _A Mysterious Stranger.--An unexpected Meeting and a startling Recognition.--An old Friend somewhat disturbs the Equanimity of Don Pedro.--The Detectives fix their Attention upon Pietro Bernardi.--Pietro and his unpalatable Reminiscences.--The Donna shows Spirit._ "Early one forenoon Salter was called to the front door by a violent pull at the bell, and on arriving there he confronted a rather disreputable-looking character, who eyed him with an extremely distrustful look. The man appeared to be about thirty years old, and he was evidently a foreigner. He was tall, well-formed, and muscular, and his general bearing was quite at variance with his ragged, dirty clothing. He had black hair and moustache, a swarthy complexion, small feet and hands, the latter soft and well-shaped, and his dark eyes were piercing and brilliant. "Good morning," he said to Salter, with a haughty nod; "is Don Juan at home?" "No such person lives here," replied Salter, partially closing the door upon the wolfish-appearing stranger. "I have good reasons for believing that Don Juan _is_ here," replied the man, "and is doubtless the guest of the gentleman who resides here. At any rate, I know that he is now in this house, and I want to see him very much. He would be equally glad to see me if he knew I were here;" and so saying, he pushed Salter aside and entered the hall. This action still further prejudiced Salter against him, and he said: "Perhaps you mean Monsieur Lesparre, who is a guest of my employer?" "That may be," replied the man; "please say that I wish to see him immediately."