Kehler, deprived of the company of his lieutenant, sat at a small table by himself, and I noticed that he was drinking heavily, while his flushed face and inflamed eyes showed him to be labouring with an excitement which I ascribed to the influence of the wine.
I sat down at another table, and busied myself with efforts to disentangle the threads of the intrigue which was being woven around me. I cast a thought or two after the poor girl, with whom I had been so strangely associated.
Absorbed in these thoughts, I did not mark the evening advancing, when I was gradually aroused by the breaking up of the military party. The lieutenant, who had shown so strong a dislike for me, rose from his seat and came my way, taking a Spanish officer by the arm.
As they approached, I perceived from his gait that the American had been affected by the healths he had been drinking. I saw him point me out to his companion as they approached, and he muttered something in the other’s ear, which caused the Spaniard to turn on me a glance of grave disgust.
Stung by this insufferable insolence, I sprang to my feet, and placed myself in front of the lieutenant.
‘Have you anything to say to me, sir?’ I said sternly.
‘Nothing. I do not talk with spies,’ was the coarse retort.
‘But you take them on board the ship it is your duty to guard,’ I returned fiercely, carried out of myself.
The lieutenant drew back, amazed.
‘I have taken a worthy priest to console a dying man—one of his own faith,’ he stammered out.