''I believe,' said Adéle, 'that I know him.'

''Are you sure there is only one?'

''Why do you ask?' said the woman, fixing her eye upon me as though she
would, in spite of every obstacle, read my inmost thoughts.

''Because I fancy there are _two_, for instance, Brown and Hunt.'

'At the mention of these names Adéle started to her feet, exclaiming:

''On all sides there is treachery. I _demand_, sir, an explanation. What
leads you to associate the name of that firm with this matter? Either
you are our friend or you are not. Speak plainly!'

''Madame, by the merest chance, I overheard Pedro mention those names,
and since you have given me your confidence, I will give you some
information which may put you on your guard, and help to guide your
future plans.'

'I then briefly related the conversations I had overheard between
General Valiente and Pedro, both on the Alameda and in the gaming-house
in the Calle del Arco.

''Now, madame,' I continued, 'let me inquire whether the Mexican from
whom you derived your information, had any connection with this firm?'

''Yes, sir, he knew them,' she replied; then, after a slight pause, she
added: 'We have already told you so much that it would be folly to
conceal the way in which we became acquainted with the existence of this