"
"Then you don't know positively that she ... that she--"
"Wait. There is no doubt that the boy was killed, but of Rosa's
fate I can only form my own opinion. However, one of Esteban's men
joined my troops later, and I not only learned something about the
girl, but also why Esteban had been so relentlessly pursued. It
was all Cobo's doings. You have heard of the fellow? No? Well, you
will." The speaker's tone was eloquent of hatred. "He is worse
than the worst of them--a monster! He had seen Miss Varona. She
was a beautiful girl. ..."
"Go on!" whispered the lover.
"I discovered that she didn't at first obey Weyler's edict. She
and the two negroes--they were former slaves of her father, I
believe--took refuge in the Pan de Matanzas. Later on, Cobo's men
made a raid and--killed a great many. Some few escaped into the
high ravines, but Miss Varona was not one of them. Out of regard
for Esteban I made careful search, but I could find no trace of
her."
"And yet, you don't know what happened?" O'Reilly ventured.
"You're not sure?"
"No, but I tell you again Cobo's men take no prisoners. When I
heard about that raid I gave up looking for her."
"This--Cobo"--the American's voice shook in spite of his effort to
hold it steady--"I shall hope to meet him some time."
The sudden fury that filled Colonel Lopez's face was almost hidden
by the gloom.
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