order to clear your mind of the idea that my fears were a myth. The
next point which I have concerns a man, a neighbour of mine in Surrey.
Before I proceed I should like to make it clear that I do not believe
for a moment that he is responsible for this unpleasant business."

Harley stared at him curiously. "Nevertheless," he said, "there must be
some data in your possession which suggest to your mind that he has
some connection with it."

"There are, Mr. Harley, but they belong to things so mystic and far
away from ordinary crime that I fear you will think me," he shrugged
his great shoulders, "a man haunted by strange superstitions. Do you
say 'haunted?' Good. You understand. I should tell you, then, that
although of pure Spanish blood, I was born in Cuba. The greater part of
my life has been spent in the West Indies, where prior to '98 I held an
appointment under the Spanish Government. I have property, not only in
Cuba, but in some of the smaller islands which formerly were Spanish,
and I shall not conceal from you that during the latter years of my
administration I incurred the enmity of a section of the population. Do
I make myself clear?"

Paul Harley nodded and exchanged a swift glance with me. I formed a
rapid mental picture of native life under the governorship of Colonel
Juan Menendez and I began to consider his story from a new viewpoint.
Seemingly rendered restless by his reflections, he stood up and began
to pace the floor, a tall but curiously graceful figure. I noticed the
bulldog tenacity of his chin, the intense pride in his bearing, and I
wondered what kind of menace had induced him to seek the aid of Paul
Harley; for whatever his failings might be, and I could guess at the
nature of several of them, that this thin-lipped Spanish soldier knew