“There is no need of immediate haste,” said he presently, “and nothing can be done to-night, in any event. To-morrow we will pack everything in chests and carry them to Senhor Bastro, who has a safe hiding-place. Meantime, General, you may leave me your men to serve as escort. How many are there?”
“Three. They are now guarding the usual approaches to this house.”
“Let them ride with you to the station at Cruz, and send them back to me in the morning. I will also summon some of our nearby patriots. By noon to-morrow everything will be ready for the transfer.”
“Very good!” ejaculated the general. “We cannot abandon too soon the vault we constructed with so much care. Where is your daughter?”
“In her apartments.”
“Before you leave to-morrow, lock her up and put a guard at her door. We must not let her suspect the removal of the records.”
“It shall be done,” answered de Pintra, with a sigh. “It may be,” he continued, hesitatingly, “that my confidence in Izabel has been misplaced.”
The general did not reply. He folded his cloak about him, glanced at the clock, and strode from the room without a word of farewell.
When he had gone Dom Miguel turned to me.
“Well?” said he.