Dear Captain Cary:
I send you my joyful congratulations on your marriage to Teresa Fernandez whom I have always loved like my own daughter. Your report was received, informing me that both the ship and poor Ramon Bazán were no more. It will interest you to know that on the day before he sailed from Cartagena he made a will, properly executed, leaving everything he possessed to his niece. There had been other wills like this, but he had torn them up in fits of temper.
Your report was confirmed in all respects by the officers and crew of the Valkyrie who, as you know, were landed at Corinto by the Italian steamer Giuseppe Balderno which sank your vessel in collision. They made their way back to Panama, arriving there soon after you sailed for New York. My agent interviewed them in behalf of the estate of the deceased owner. They proposed chartering a sailing vessel in all haste and returning to Cocos Island. This information was confidentially imparted.
The insurance underwriters have accepted the evidence of total loss, with no negligence on the part of the masters and crew of the Valkyrie. I am therefore remitting, as per draft enclosed to the order of Señora Teresa Cary, the sum of thirty thousand dollars in settlement of the marine policies issued against the vessel. I am also writing Teresa regarding the house and contents and such other property as belonged to her departed uncle. Peace to his soul! My cordial salutations to a gallant shipmaster who deserves better fortune on his next voyage. Placing myself at your disposal, I am
Faithfully yours
Alonzo de Mello
Richard Cary’s mother was tremulous with excitement as she gasped: “Why, Teresa is an heiress—thirty thousand dollars right in her hands, and other property besides. And she never so much as hinted that she might be a rich woman!”
“Teresa didn’t know,” explained Richard. “There was no putting your finger on poor Ramon Bazán. He was very flighty. Here comes Teresa now. This ought to please her.”
“If she doesn’t get all stirred up, I shall feel like shaking you both.”
The heiress gracefully descended from the antique flivver, assisted by the adoring William.