"I believe that you are spies, and, by the Saints, if you are, I am the man to deal with you!" "This is a likely story," said Leonard laughing, "that one man and a black dog should venture into the headquarters of gentlemen like you, not being of the cloth.

But I think there is a noble gentleman among you--I mean the Senor Xavier--who can vouch for me.

Did he not send a note to Captain Pierre, whose dhow lies in the harbour yonder, hailing from Madagascar?
Well, Captain Pierre has the honour of accepting his invitation and arrives here, not without difficulty.

Now he begins to think that he would have done better to stick to his ship." "That is all right, Pereira," said Xavier, a huge Portuguese with a dash of negro blood and a villainous countenance, the same man whom they had followed through the gate.

"I sent a note to the Senor.