Page:Cup of Gold-1929.djvu/195

“No one has seen her, sir. The men, except a few, are drunk,”

All through the night— With each confession of wealth concealed, the victim was led out by a party of searchers, and soon they would return, bearing cups and silver plates, jewels, and clothing of colored silk. The glowing treasure in the Hall of Audience was becoming one enormous heap.

And Captain Morgan, wearily:

“Have you found the Red Saint?”

“We have not found her, sir, but we are seeking and inquiring over the whole city. Perhaps in the daylight, sir—”

“Where is Cœur de Gris?”

“I think he is drunk, sir, but—” He looked away from Henry Morgan.

“But what? What do you mean?” the captain cried.

“Nothing; I mean nothing at all, sir. It is almost certain that he is drunk. Only it takes such gallons of wine to make him drunk, and perhaps he has found a friend in the meantime.”

“Did you see him with any one?”

“Yes, sir; I saw him with a woman, and she was drunk. I could swear that Cœur de Gris was drunk, too.”

“Did you think the woman might have been La Santa Roja?”

“Oh, no, sir; I am sure it was not she. Only one of the women of the town, sir.”

There was a clash of golden service thrown on the pile.