"Thanks," the young man replied, pensively.
"Is that all you desire to know?"
"Nearly so, for of course you have received no news of ——?"
"News of whom?" the American asked, seeing that the Jaguar hesitated.
"Of Carmela?" he at length said, with a tremendous effort.
"Of Carmela?" John Davis exclaimed, in surprise: "How could we have received any news? Tranquil, on the contrary, hopes to hear some from you."
"From me?"
"Hang it! You must know better than any of us how the dear child is."
"I do not understand you."
"And yet it is very clear. I will not remind you in what way we succeeded, after the capture of the Larch-tree, in saving the poor girl from that villain who carried her off; I will merely remind you that on the very day when Tranquil and I, by your express orders, started to join Loyal Heart, the maiden was confided in your presence to Captain Johnson, who would convey her to the house of a respectable lady at Galveston, who was willing to offer her a shelter."