"The more need that we find him. Oh, what a strange thing!"
"Is it not? It seems then that this Uncle Marcos was not so unjust as would appear. He evidently desired to restore to his two brothers, through their descendants, the property which he had wrested from them by unworthy means, and so he salved his conscience. I suppose if he had known of your existence you might have come in for a share."
"Oh, never mind me. That does not make any difference, but it is a happy thing to know that poor Pepé, who slaved and toiled so incessantly was doing so for the profit of his own lands. He will be glad, oh, I know he will be glad. Is there no other news, mother?"
"Prudencia is gratified, of course, that Amparo is so fortunate. She begs that we will come to Spain if there should be trouble here."
"But we cannot go till there is no further hope of Pepé."
"You realize, dear, that if his death is proved you are his legal heir."
"Oh, no! Then pray God I may never be. Is there nothing from Mr. Kirkby?"
"Yes, a word to say that he is starting for London to-day in order to get in closer touch with those who are best informed on political matters, and also to learn from the detectives what progress they have made in their search for the boy. He has theories of his own, you know, and he likes to consult these people. He will return in a few days, he says."
"I hope he may have some good news. It seems dreadful to think that Pepé must be kept in ignorance of this piece of good fortune when it would mean so much to him."
Her mother sighed. It did seem a strange stroke of fortune to come at a time when the boy seemed utterly to have disappeared, yet somehow this piece of news gave both mother and daughter a spur to their belief in his return.