I have seen
nothing since you went in here."
"I daresay you are wondering what brought me to such a place. A person
in whom I take a great interest, an old woman, lives here. I knew her
years ago. Psha! why should I condescend to explain? Look here, Mr.
Sergeant"--she took out her purse and produced a sovereign--"take
this, and drink my health!"
The sergeant flushed crimson, and drew himself up stiffly, as he said,
with another formal salute, "Madam, you mistake!"
"Strange!" she exclaimed, scornfully. "I thought all soldiers liked
drink. Well, keep the money; spend it as you like."
"I cannot take it, madam; I am paid by the Queen to do my duty."
"And you will not take a bribe to neglect it? Very fine, truly!
General Wilders shall know how well you executed his commands. But
there!--I have had enough of this; I wish to return to the yacht. Show
me the shortest way back to the water side. Lead on; I will follow
you."
Sergeant McKay took a short cut down the steep steps, and soon
regained the Waterport. There Mrs. Wilders hailed a native boat, and,
without condescending to notice the orderly further, she seated
herself in the stern-sheets and was rowed off to the _Arcadia_.
CHAPTER VIII.
A SOUTHERN PEARL.
"Mariquita! Ma--ri--kee--tah!"
A woman's voice, shrill and quavering, with an accent of anger that
increased each time the summons was repeated.
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