"Mercy knows, but it will not do to trust these treacherous Spaniards too far. Still his story may have been a truthful one. He was undoubtedly a sailor. We will at least go and see. The pony and chaise are ready."
"Take care of my darling, Margarita," said Leah, as she kissed her sleeping child, and stepped out to the waiting volante.
"Now drive fast, Mr. Gardner. My heart misgives me."
Without replying, Mr. Gardner urged forward the fleet pony, and they did not slacken their speed until street after street had been traversed, corner upon corner turned, and they were in sight of the Plaza de la Mar, with its myriads of ships' masts and flags in view. Then, driving more slowly, Mr. Gardner turned upon the dock of pier number three, and looked eagerly forward. There was no ship there. Alighting from the chaise, Leah and Mr. Gardner approached a party of ship-hands at work there, and asked:
"Is not this pier number three, where an American vessel has been anchored?"
"Yes, se¤or, but the American vessel has been out of port an hour."
"Out of port an hour!" repeated Leah, in dismay. "Where is my husband, then?"
Mr. Gardner shook his head dubiously, and said, "He may have gone with them."
"Gone with them?" said Leah wildly. "Gone!" she uttered again, and then sank helpless upon the wharf.
Mr. Gardner, deeply moved, lifted her again into the chaise, with the assurance that her husband in all probability had returned to his place of business.