"My lord," the spy resumed, for we may henceforth give him that name; "I come from St. Christopher." "Ah! Is not that the Island where the bandits take shelter?" "Yes, my lord, and more than that, I returned in one of their vessels." "Oh, oh," said the governor, "pray tell me all about it, my dear Don Antonio: that is your name, I believe?" "Yes, my lord; Don Antonio de la Ronda." "You see," the Count added with a smile; "that I have a good memory sometimes," and he laid a stress on these words, which made the spy's heart bound with joy. The latter told him in what way he had entered the island, how he had been discovered and made prisoner by Montbarts, who put him on board one of his vessels; how a great expedition had been decided on by the adventurers against the island of Saint Domingo, in the first place, and then against Tortuga, which the ladrones had a plan for surprising, and on which they intend to establish themselves; and in what way, on reaching Port Margot, he had succeeded in escaping, and had hastened to bear the news to his Excellency the governor. The Count listened with the most serious attention to Don Antonio's narrative, and in proportion as it progressed, the governor's brow became more anxious; in fact, the spy had not deceived him. The news was of the utmost gravity. "Hum!" he answered; "And is it long since the ladrones arrived at Port Margot?" "Eight days, Excellency." "_¡Sangre de Cristo!_ so long as that, and I had not been informed of it?" "In spite of the utmost diligence, as I was constrained to take the greatest precaution lest I should fall again into the hands of the ladrones, who doubtless started in pursuit of me. I only arrived this morning, and came straight to the palace." The Count bit his lips, several hours had been lost through his fault; still he did not notice the indirect reproach addressed to him by the spy, for he comprehended all its justice. "You have fairly earned the ten thousand piastres promised, Don Antonio," he said. The spy gave a start of pleasure. "Ah, that is not all," he answered, with a meaning smile. "What else is there?" the Count remarked; "I believed that you had nothing further to tell me." "That depends, Excellency. I have made my official report to the Governor-General of Hispaniola, it is true--a very detailed report indeed--in which I have forgotten nothing that might help him to defend the island entrusted to his care." "Well?" "Well, my lord, I have now to give the Count de Bejar, of course, if he desire it, certain information which I believe will interest him." The Count fixed on the man an investigating glance, as if he wished to read his very soul. "The Count de Bejar?" he said with studied coldness; "What can you have to say that interests him privately, as a simple gentleman? I have not, as far as I am aware, anything to settle with the ladrones."