Knowledge of the real motives actuating him rests upon the evidence of a letter which Samoval was to write that same evening to La Fleche--afterwards to be discovered--wherein he related what had passed, how deliberately he had steered the matter, and what he meant to do.

His object was no longer the punishing of an affront.

That would happen as a mere incident, a thing done, as it were, in passing.

His real aim now was to obtain the keys of the adjutant's strong-box, which never left Sir Terence's person, and so become possessed of the plans of the lines of Torres Vedras.

When you consider in the light of this the manner in which Samoval proceeded now you will admire with me at once the opportunism and the subtlety of the man.
"You'll be after telling me exactly what you mean," Sir Terence had said.
It was in that moment that Tremayne and Lady O'Moy came arm in arm into the open on the hill-side, half-a-mile away--very close and confidential.