"Evidence?" suggested Belle.

"Zat is it. Evidence! I have evidence, zat would free my father, if
I could get it to him. But I fear to send it by mail, for it would
be taken--captured by his enemies."

"It's rather complicated--isn't it?" suggested Cora.

"Yes, Senorita--more so even zan I am telling you. Of myself I know
but little, save zat if I can get ze certain papairs to my father, he
might go free. But how am I to go to Sea Horse Island, when I have
not even money to buy me food to keep from starving? I ask you--how
can I? And yet I should not trouble you wiz my troubles, Senoritas."

"Oh, but we want to help you!" declared Cora, warmly.

"Surely," added Belle. "Perhaps I had better speak to my father. He
may know of someone on Sea Horse Island, where he is going to gather
orchids."

"No, no, Senorita! If you please--not to speak yet!" broke in the
Spanish girl suddenly. "It must be a secret--yet. I have enemies
even here."

"Enemies?" echoed Cora.

"Yes. Zey followed me from New York. Listen, I haf not yet tell you
all. I make ze lace in New York, but it so big a city--and so many
lace sellers--not of my country. It is hard for me to make even a
pittance. Some of my friends, zey say to go out in ze country. So I