"He thought he was killing a real general, eh?" He smiled for a moment then grew grave. "Well, poor fellow, he's dead now, and I have no doubt he thought he was in the right." "They know they are in the wrong, General Corona," broke in Captain Nocolo, who stood in the doorway. "The rebels are out for plunder, and that is all. They know full well they cannot win in this struggle." Estella, who had disdained to notice the captain before, now turned upon him. "Captain Nocolo, you will oblige me by withdrawing," she said, coldly. "Estella!" burst from her father's lips, in surprise. "I mean it, papa. He is not wanted here, and he knows why. I will explain to you when we are alone." The general looked perplexed, and frowned. "You speak strangely, my child. Captain Nocolo is an old soldier, and----" "And no gentleman, papa." "Ha! that is saying a good deal!" burst from the general's lips. "You speak too harshly, girl!" burst out Captain Nocolo, savagely. "But, however," he went on hurriedly, "I am here strictly on business. I want to know what has become of Lieutenant Mazenas." "Yes, that's it," said General Corona. "The captain says he is in this house." Estella turned pale, and could scarcely suppress her agitation. "If Captain Nocolo desires to find the lieutenant, he had better hunt for him. I have nothing more to say to him." "Ah! as I thought!" ejaculated the Spanish officer, turning red. "She knows something more than I know! The lieutenant gave his men a peculiar order from the window of this parlor some little while ago, and has not come from the house since. He may be held a prisoner here." "Captain Nocolo, do you know what you are saying?" demanded Estella's father, wrathfully. "A prisoner! Surely you are losing your head!" "Perhaps not, General Corona. You do not know your daughter as well as I do. On the very night that the train you were on was wrecked by the rebels, I found your daughter in the company of that American spy, Howard Sherwood." "Impossible!" thundered General Corona. "She was with me, and----" "You went off to the battle in the sugar-cane. I was coming up from the bay, with Lieutenant Mazenas and several others, in pursuit of Sherwood. I came upon them arm-in-arm." At these words the face of the old general became as dark as night. He turned and looked at Estella sternly. "Estella, is this true? Answer at once!" The face of the beautiful girl became first white, and then a livid red. She tried to speak, but the words would not pass her lips. She wrung her hands in silent despair. "Enough; you need not say a word!" the words cut like the edge of a sharp knife. "I know Captain Nocolo speaks the truth! And this, Estella, after all I have told you! How dared you disobey me?" "Father!" "Explanations are needless!" he ejaculated, harshly. "My daughter the friend and companion--nay, mayhap, the sweetheart--of an American spy--a treacherous foe to Spain!"