"The senor will perceive," he said, "that I paid the trader twelve hundred dollars for the negress. My mistress, the Senora Donna Eleanora Pacheco, has instructed me to deliver the girl up to the senor at his own price. But the senor will not, perhaps, object to paying the same sum I paid for the girl." "Certainly not," answered Ishmael. Judge Merlin produced the money, and the sale was immediately effected. The steward took up his hat to depart, but Ishmael made a sign for him to stop. "You were present at the sale of this girl?" "Assuredly, senor; since I purchased her." "There was an old woman sold at the same time?" "Yes, senor; the one that I found in here." "Exactly. There was also a young man?" "Yes, senor." "Can you tell me who became his purchaser?" "Certainly, senor. He was bought by the Senor Don Filipo Martinez, who lives in the Suburb Regla." "Can you give me directions how to find the place?" "Certainly, senor. I will write it down, if the senor will permit me the use of his writing-case." Ishmael placed a chair at the table, and signed for the steward to take it. Miguel Manello sat down, wrote out the directions, handed them to Ishmael, and then with a deep bow took his leave. When they were alone Ishmael said: "The Suburb Regla is on the other side of the harbor. We cannot with propriety visit it this evening. In the morning we will set out early. We must either make a long circuit by land, or else take the shorter cut across the harbor. I think the last mentioned the best plan." "I agree with you," said the judge; "but I fear we are greatly trespassing on the time and the official duties of our friend," he added, turning with a smile to the consul. "Oh, not at all! I am sufficiently attentive to my business to afford to take a day now and then, when necessity demands it," replied Mr. Tourneysee pleasantly, as he arose and bid his friends good-evening. He had scarcely left the scene when the door opened and the truant, Herman Brudenell, entered. "You are a pretty fellow to back your friends. Here we have been overwhelmed with business and beset with adventures, and you gone!" exclaimed the judge, whose spirits were much elated with the successes of the day. "Give an account of yourself, sir!" he added.