"I cannot understand what it means," declared Ronie. "How could mother's picture be brought here, and why?"
As this was a question Jack could not answer, he merely shook his head, adding:
"This fellow, or some of his friends, may have been in New York, and accidentally picked it up. In that case it would not indicate any cause for worriment."
"I cannot help feeling, Jack, that there is some other explanation. I cannot help thinking that in some way it portends trouble to mother. It can do no harm to question this fellow more closely in regard to the matter."
"We will take our chances on that score, though I believe he is a thoroughbred liar."
Then they did question this man as closely as they thought prudent, but without gleaning a single ray of light upon the subject. In fact, he persisted in maintaining an absolute ignorance in regard to it. So finally Ronie was compelled to drop the subject, while he tried in vain to find some plausible explanation of the mystery.
Manuel Marlin showed that he was glad of the sight ahead, when at last they reached the edge of the forest, and found themselves looking at the rim of sandy sea-coast, with the glimmer of water in the distance. The day was very calm, and the bay stretched as smoothly as if formed of plate glass, while overhead the sky had that peculiar flat appearance so common in the tropics.
"Does señors see that dismal building on yonder point of land?" asked their guide, and, without waiting for their reply, went on: "It is the fort of San Carlos, where the 'El Mocho' is chained like a dog!"
"Look yonder!" exclaimed Ronie, "there is a train of men going thither now."
"Looks to me as if they were conducting prisoners to the penitentiary," said Jack. "If my old eyes do not deceive me one of them is an American."