I am obliged, therefore--" Just here came an interruption of voices at the door.

Hearing them, del Concha, who had remained silent during the foregoing conversation and apparently careless of what was said concerning him, uttered a few hurried words to the General in a low tone, and disappeared behind a screen that stood close at hand.

Directly afterwards a lieutenant and two soldiers entered with a prisoner, whom Ridge recognized as one of the ragged Cubans who had escorted him to Holguin.
"General," said the officer, saluting, "I bring a Cuban deserter who claims to have information of pressing importance that he will impart to no one but yourself, so I have ventured to intrude; but if it is your pleasure, I will remove him and seek to extort his secret." "Oh no," replied the commander; "it is not worth the trouble.

Let him speak, and quickly, for I am pressed with business." "I come, Excellenza," began the deserter, in a trembling voice, "with the hope of clemency and a reward, to notify your Excellency that this senor"-- here he pointed to Ridge--"is not what he pretends.

I was of a band who captured him on the coast, and I overheard his confession to our leader.