I am only sorry that
on your return to La Mision Perdida you should have fallen into the
arms of a madman before extending your hands to your friends."
Their eyes met. She saw that he hated her--and felt relieved.
"It may not have been so entirely unfortunate," he said, with a
coldness strongly in contrast with his gradually blazing eyes, "for
I was charged with a message to you, in which this madman is
supposed by some to play an important part."
"Is it a matter of business?" said Maruja, lightly, yet with a
sudden instinctive premonition of coming evil in the relentless
tones of his voice.
"It is business, Miss Saltonstall--purely and simply business,"
said Carroll, dryly, "under whatever OTHER name it may have been
since presented to you."
"Perhaps you have no objection to tell it before Mr. Guest," said
Maruja, with an inspiration of audacity; "it sounds so mysterious
that it must be interesting. Otherwise, Captain Carroll, who
abhors business, would not have undertaken it with more than his
usual enthusiasm."
"As the business DOES interest Mr. Guest, or Mr. West, or whatever
name he may have decided upon since I had the pleasure of meeting
him," said Carroll--for the first time striking fire from the eyes
of his rival--"I see no reason why I should not, even at the risk
of telling you what you already know. Briefly, then, Mr. Prince
charged me to advise you and your mother to avoid litigation with
this gentleman, and admit his claim, as the son of Dr.
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