CHAPTER XXXVII.
STILL ON THE TRACK.
One sole desire, one passion now remains,
To keep life's fever still within his veins,—
Vengeance! Dire vengeance on the wretch who cast
On him and all he loved that ruinous blast.
—Moore.
Our party drove back to the hotel to await the coming of the steward with Sally. Mr. Brudenell had not yet returned.
Ishmael sent for the clerk of the house and bespoke proper accommodations for the servants.
But Katie rebelled, and protested that she would not leave her old master until bedtime, when she should insist upon his locking her in her bedroom and taking charge of the key, for fear she should be bewitched and stolen again.
At about six o'clock Miguel Manello arrived, having Sally in charge. According to instructions left with the waiters they were immediately shown up to the apartments of Judge Merlin.
Miguel Manello, a little, dried-up, mahogany-colored old man with blue-gray hair, came in, bowing profoundly.
Sally followed him, but suddenly stopped, opened her mouth and eyes as wide as they could be extended, and stood dumb with astonishment.
As she could not speak a word of Spanish, nor the steward of English, she could not be made to understand where he was bringing her. So she had not the remotest suspicion that she was approaching her master until she actually stood in his presence. Astonishment makes people break into exclamations; but Sally it always struck speechless. So it had been with her when the viscount and his accomplices entered her room that night of the abduction. So it was with her now that she was brought unexpectedly to the presence of the beloved old master whom she had never hoped to see again on this side of the grave.