“Was not the lady’s mother proceeding to Madrid?” said Greaves.
“Yes, capitan,” answered Antonio.
“If the vessel which may have picked her up is going that way, why should she desire to return to Acapulco?”
“You have heard, my capitan, that the señorita believes her mother will return to Acapulco and wait for her there.”
“How is the mother to know that the daughter is alive?”
Again Antonio squinted fiercely and shrugged.
“Is there reason to suppose that, the widow imagines her daughter is saved? Is there reason to believe that the widow herself is saved? Supposing her to have been picked up by a ship bound south, why should not she proceed in the direction that, if pursued, must ultimately land her at Cadiz, or put her in the way of very easily reaching Madrid, for which city, as I understand, she and her daughter embarked at Acapulco? Interpret all this, will you?”
“Fielding!” exclaimed Greaves.
“Sir.”