"My dear fellow, a mill-horse like me has no influence." "What leave will you have?" "A month." "Ah, well, one can say of London what Mrs. Curwen said just now of Madrid; a good many things may happen in a month, and many good things too." And in that case the generalism was a prophecy, for Mayhew did not return to Madrid except when he and Mrs. Curwen paid a flying honeymoon visit there some months afterwards. "Certainly many things have happened here," he replied, drily. "And the catalogue isn’t filled yet; but I’m going to the Palace to-day, and hope to get the remaining items, so far as I’m concerned;" and we were discussing and canvassing my visit to the King, when Madame Chansette arrived, and told us to my infinite consternation that Sarita had been again arrested. I could not at first believe it. "Arrested? My dear madame, are you sure?" I cried. "I never feel sure of anything now; but if two officials in uniform arriving with a warrant or a summons or some kind of paper from Government, and the hurrying off of Sarita to some place no one knew where, or at least would tell me where, and taking no denial or excuse and not letting us communicate with anyone, and not even allowing Sarita to make any decent preparations, or even pack a hand-bag with absolute necessaries, not even a brush and comb or a spare handkerchief, and saying no more to me than that they had their orders and must obey them, don’t mean arrest, then what can it mean?" She paused for want of breath, and was plunging into another sea of words when I interrupted her. "Who signed the paper or warrant or whatever it was? What was the charge?" "My dear Lord Glisfoyle, however can I know when I was not even allowed to look at it, much less take it in my hands; and I was so agitated and frightened, I could not even think coolly. It was in this way——" "Excuse me, I’ll go and see about it," I broke in, and hurried away to the Duke of Novarro in search of some explanation. I had to wait for him, and sat for an hour or more drumming my heels on the floor and controlling my impatience as best I could. It was close to the time of my interview at the Palace when he arrived, full of suave apologies for the delay. "I learn that Senorita Castelar has been arrested. May I ask the reason for so unexpected a step?" I asked, getting at once to the point. "I am very glad you have come to me, Lord Glisfoyle, although in this matter I fear I cannot give you much satisfactory information. But I have just completed another affair that you will be interested to learn concerning Senorita Castelar." "But this arrest, my lord?" I cried, impatiently, irritated rather than appeased by the scrupulous courtesy of his tone. "Yes, it is undoubtedly singular; but bear with me a moment. The other matter is also much in point. It concerns the young lady’s property, Lord Glisfoyle. An examination of the Quesada papers has convinced us——"