"I've just got to say that I've never, to my knowledge, met Don Martin. What was the note about?"
"We will talk of that later. In the meanwhile, I understand you have decided not to let me have the money that we need?"
"Not without a written promise that the papers will be signed and handed to me in a fortnight. Unless you consent, I must start for Valverde at once."
Altiera pondered for a few moments, knitting his brows.
"You are, no doubt, anxious to rejoin your daughter," he said slowly. "Perhaps I had better tell you that she is not at Valverde."
"Not at Valverde!" Cliffe exclaimed. "Then where has she gone?"
"I cannot tell you."
Cliffe clenched his hand, but would not let his alarm master him. He suspected treachery and knew that he must be cool.
"Your secretary assured me that Miss Cliffe would be safe with the alcalde's wife; I shall hold him responsible. Why did she leave Valverde?"
"It seems the señorita got tired of waiting, and set off to rejoin you. This is most likely, but it is said in the cafés that she ran away with the señor Gomez."