dramatic intensity. "I tried to keep secret ze fact zat I was
working for my father's release. I will not tire you wiz telling you
all, but some enemies know I have papairs zat prove ze innocence of
Senor Ralcanto. Zis man--Pedro Valdez he call himself--has been
trying to get zem from me. He tried in New York, and he said he
would give me no rest until he had zem. He must have been following
me--no hard task since I have traveled a slow and weary way. Zen,
when he saw my valise--he must have thought it his chance."

"How dreadful!" murmured Bess. "To think that such things could
happen in Chelton!"

"And perhaps we are not at the end of them yet," said Cora, softly.
"The man got away, didn't he, Belle?"

"So Walter said. Oh, dear! I'm glad we're going to the West
Indies!"

"Oh, zat I were going wiz you!" exclaimed Inez, clasping her thin,
brown hands in an appealing gesture. "But if you will take zese
papairs, Senorita, and help to free my father--I will never be able
to repay your great kindness."

"We shall have to ask papa about it," said Bess, cautiously. "Would
you like to have him come and talk to you--he would understand about
the political side of it so much better than we would."

"I would gladly welcome ze senor," said Inez, with a graceful
dignity. "I shall be honored if he come."