She appeared as cool and composed as if she had just arisen from her dinner.
Yet in the vestibule stood the one man whom she had most cause to fear, the man who now held her fate in his hand—Nick Carter.
CHAPTER XIII.
CRAFTY CERVERA.
"Good-evening, Mr. Venner. Oh, it's not you!"
"Oh, yes, 'tis!" said Nick, dryly. "It's I all right, and I'm it. You appear surprised at seeing me, Señora Cervera."
Cervera had begun, then stopped, then uttered the startled exclamation; and all with the utmost coolness, with the air of one stirred only by genuine surprise, and as if without the slightest fear or dismay upon beholding Nick Carter in the vestibule.
So perfectly natural was her artful assumption, that it rather deceived Nick for a short time.
In response to his dry remarks, the artful jade now nodded and began to laugh.