Her next step was in the direction where Phenee was confined.
She found no difficulty in finding the jailer, a hard-looking man enough, though Miriam thought she could see a gentle expression in his eyes when they rested on two young children, whose pale, wasted features gave evidence of close confinement in that dreary place.
"I may win him yet by those little ones," she murmured; "gold will have power to touch his heart for their sakes."
"You wished to see me, senora?"
"Yes. I want you to answer a few questions. First, have you not got Phenee, the Jew, and Diniz Sampayo here?"
"Yes, senora."
"Are they together?"
"No, senora."
"Could it be possible for you to set them free, without fear of detection?" eagerly.
"Yes, senora; but I am not a traitor."