"I was; and the money offered me by Silvestre was too tempting to be refused. I came, I saw you, and as you know, I conquered. I handed you over to Silvestre, as I had contracted to do, and once more secured from him his promise that, with the exception of imprisonment, no harm should befall you. It was then agreed that I should leave the island at once in the yacht for Cuba, en route for England. The money promised me for the work I had done was handed to me, and I left Silvestre."
"But you could not have reached Cuba in the time?"
"I did not attempt to do so. A certain conversation I had with Captain Ferguson changed all my plans."
"And the purport of that conversation?"
"It appears that Ferguson had by chance overheard the half-caste, Manuel, discussing with the negress, Palmyre, certain instructions they had received from Silvestre. Immediately the yacht returned from conveying me from Cuba it would appear that Silvestre was to set sail for Equinata, and as soon as he was out of the way you and the Señorita were to be poisoned by Palmyre."
"Good heavens! The cowardly scoundrel!"
For the first time since I had known Fernandez I saw a look of fear pass over his face. It was not until later that I learnt that assassination by poisoning was the one thing in the world he dreaded.
"Well," he went on when he had regained his composure, "what happened after that?"
"I arranged with Ferguson that, instead of taking me on to Cuba, he should drop me at Asturia. I was fortunate enough to secure this schooner, and hurried back in her—in the hope of effecting your release. The rest you know!"
He nodded.