It was purely the result of an accident." "It was nothing of the sort," Maria said.

"It was the result of your keeping your eyes open and knowing how to put two and two together.

I did not know, Francisco, that it was a secret.

We have not seen our father since we have returned, and I suppose he thought we should see nobody until he saw us again, and so did not tell us that we were not to mention your name in the affair; but we will be careful in future." "But how was it, Francisco ?" Matteo asked.

"Now I know so much as this, I suppose I can be told the rest.