Herrick was amazed, and remembered what he had heard about the uncle of the wicked Colonel. "Carr's father turned a son out of doors," he muttered "the son went to America and married. He had one daughter--" "My mother. She was the Carr's cousin, not my father's. I am getting confused," murmured Joyce feeling his head. "In that case you are cousin to Stephen Marsh?" "Yes. And I should have the money, since my grandfather was the brother of Colonel Carr. That was why I conspired, as you call it. That was why my father and Santiago tried to help me to get my rights. What do you think of it now Herrick?" "I think that you went the wrong way to work," said Jim, "that is if you are telling me the truth,--which I doubt." "It is the truth," cried Joyce clenching his fist, "if you do not believe me," he added listening for a moment, "here is one who will tell you." "Santiago!" said Herrick rising to be ready for emergencies. "Yes! He is coming up the stair now." At that moment there was a shrill whistle outside, Belcher's signal. CHAPTER XIX DON MANUEL'S RECOLLECTIONS Santiago entered the room quite unsuspiciously. His step was light, his eyes were bright, and he had evidently been successfully plotting some new and lucrative villainy. In a moment his astonished eyes lighted upon Herrick, standing tall and smiling on the hearth-rug. A Spanish oath of the coarsest slipped from his mouth, and he looked about as evil as a man can look who knows that the game is up. However he was plucky enough to show fight. He even attempted bluff. "What are you doing in my rooms Señor?" he demanded in Spanish. "If you----" "Don't you think we had better keep to English?" said Herrick blandly. "I know you speak it so well, and of course we have our mutual friend Joyce to consider. You are surprised to see me. Natural, very natural." Joyce sat in his chair silent and white. He was too frightened to open his mouth for he knew something of Don Manuel's rages, and dreaded the tornado which would ensue when the Mexican learned how Herrick had been told everything by his weak-kneed coadjutor. For a moment Santiago (still in ignorance as to the true state of affairs), ground his teeth. Then by an effort of will he recovered his smile, and to all appearances his usual temper. "You will excuse me if I spoke rudely Señor," he said with a polite how, "it is not my custom. But I am rather taken aback at meeting you here. I do not remember having asked you to come." "That's all right," replied Jim cheerfully. He did not sit down, for Santiago was still on his feet. And one can use a revolver better when standing. "I heard that you had been suddenly called to Town yesterday. I therefore made it my business to follow." "Very kind of you," said Santiago slipping his hand into his breast pocket, an action which was imitated by Herrick, "but how did you find out my address? I never gave it to you."