“Evidently.”
“And he knew that it was in Peru, at Iquitos, that for so many years my father had taken refuge?”
“He knew it,” said Manoel, “but how he came to know it I do not understand.”
“One more question,” continued Benito. “What was the proposition that Torres made to my father during the short interview which preceded his expulsion?”
“He threatened to denounce Joam Garral as being Joam Dacosta, if he declined to purchase his silence.”
“And at what price?”
“At the price of his daughter’s hand!” answered Manoel unhesitatingly, but pale with anger.
“The scoundrel dared to do that!” exclaimed Benito.
“To this infamous request, Benito, you saw the reply that your father gave.”
“Yes, Manoel, yes! The indignant reply of an honest man. He kicked Torres off the raft. But it is not enough to have kicked him out. No! That will not do for me. It was on Torres’ information that they came here and arrested my father; is not that so?”