Further secrecy seemed not intended. The stranger faced about and each looked at the other steadfastly.
What the mysterious man saw was a tall, handsome American in a blue uniform, his face rather pale.
Clif in turn saw also a man in a blue uniform; he had to take but one glance to see that he was a lieutenant in the Spanish army.
He was a tall, finely proportioned man, rather young, and with a slight dark mustache. He had the dark skin and the features of a Spaniard; but Clif thought he had never seen a finer looking military man.
For a moment Clif gazed at him in silence. Then he stepped toward him.
"Tell me, sir," he said. "Why have you done this?"
The officer answered in a low, quiet voice:
"You will soon know," said he. "Do not be impatient."
"You have saved me from a horrible fate," said the cadet, his voice choking. "I do not know how to thank you."
"Do not try," answered the other. "You have some one else to thank."