He started to rise to greet the person coming toward him whom he thought to be his scientific coworker, when he uttered a startled exclamation and fell quietly back in the deep shadows, amongst the pillows on the couch.
“It approaches with the caution and tread of Macbeth. It is not a spirit. It is of flesh and blood, and is here for no good purpose. To me it will be amusing from this moment on, to watch the many nefarious people who will try to end this physical existence of the good and great Governor. If they knew what I know, they would certainly save themselves the trouble. The light in the early morning is very uncertain, yet the outlines of face and figure I cannot discern with the physical eye, is plain through the eye of intuition. And I see the much-disguised figure of Marriet Motuble, the invincible. I must not be discovered here, or half the pleasure of knowing the object of her early call will be lost. From a physical sense of view, to follow her over the house will be interesting. Ah, where is she going now? She stops. She listens. I wonder what she hears? Can it be that she hears my breathing, or feels the vibrations of my thoughts? I hope not; for if either be the case, this interesting scene will be denied me. She goes toward his Honor’s private bedroom. The lay of the rooms are well defined in her mind. What is it she carries in her right hand? Now she raises it. The door is opening. She will not waste a shot, I am quite sure. When she finds the Governor is not in his apartment, she will be disappointed, and hurry out for fear of being discovered, but not by this door; the more private one at the end of the suite will suit her purposes, I fancy, much better. I will have Juan follow and catch her if possible. I will have him fasten all the doors securely and bar the windows. She will lead him a lively chase; but then he will be otherwise occupied than studying and worrying over the absence of his Honor. Here he is now.”
Juan placed the breakfast on a table near the couch, and said: “Fifteen minutes is a long time to spend in preparing so simple a meal. I hope, I hope I have not tired your patience.”
“It makes no difference; in fact, I am glad I was detained. I have another commission for you,” said Señor Julio Murillo. “You know the large, aggressive señorita Marriet Motuble, do you not?”
“I do, sir; I do. She frightened me badly once. I will tell you about it,” said Juan.
“At some other time, Juan,” replied Señor Julio Murillo. “We have no time to lose. She is in the house at this moment, intent on no good purpose. See that she does not get out of the house. Tell her you have orders not to open the doors under twenty-four hours. Follow her, Juan. She must not escape.”
“But you, sir. I cannot leave you unserved,” pleaded Juan, expressing the hope that he might not have to follow Marriet Motuble.
“I need no more service, Juan. In ten minutes I will have completed my breakfast and be gone. You have no time to lose; the house must be securely fastened, for the señorita is as sly as a fox, and will escape if double caution is not quickly secured. It is necessary to detain this woman, from more points of view than one. I have nothing more to say, Juan, except for you to go.”
Juan’s head fell low, and without a word he walked slowly in the direction Marriet Motuble had disappeared.
Julio Murillo finished his meal quickly, descended the stairs noiselessly, and in an instant had disappeared from the house.