"
"It is important," declared our visitor; "for on Wednesday is the full
moon, and the full moon is in some way associated with the sacrificial
rites of Voodoo."
CHAPTER III
THE VAMPIRE BAT
An hour had elapsed since the departure of our visitor, and Paul Harley
and I sat in the cosy, book-lined study discussing the strange story
which had been related to us. Harley, who had a friend attached to the
Spanish Embassy, had succeeded in getting in touch with him at his
chambers, and had obtained some few particulars of interest concerning
Colonel Don Juan Sarmiento Menendez, for such were the full names and
titles of our late caller.
He was apparently the last representative of a once great Spanish
family, established for many generations in Cuba. His wealth was
incalculable, although the value of his numerous estates had
depreciated in recent years. His family had produced many men of subtle
intellect and powerful administrative qualities; but allied to this
they had all possessed traits of cruelty and debauchery which at one
time had made the name of Menendez a by-word in the West Indies. That
there were many people in that part of the world who would gladly have
assassinated the Colonel, Paul Harley's informant did not deny.
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