CHAPTER XXII
HELD FOR RANSOM
Gomez once more apologized. The senor Cliffe had not yet arrived fromVilla Paz, he explained, but was expected in the morning. In themeantime the good senora Garcia would look after the senorita's comfort.
Evelyn had to be content with that. Indeed, she was too tired to feelmuch disturbed. On getting up the next morning, however, she wastroubled by unpleasant suspicions. It had been a shock to find Cliffeabsent, and she began to review the misadventures which had marked herjourney. To begin with, it now seemed curious that her father had notwritten instead of sending a message; then, the senora Herrero had notkept her promise to overtake them, and Luisa Romanez had unexpectedlygone back. While she wondered whether all this had any sinister meaning,Evelyn felt for a packet of paper currency which she had, at herfather's advice, sewn into her dress. She found that it was gone. Ahurried search showed that the stitches had been neatly cut.
For a few moments she felt unnerved, and then resolutely pulled herselftogether. This was no time for hysteria. It was obvious that she hadbeen duped. The lost sum was not large, but with the exception of a fewcoins it was all she had, and it had not been stolen by a common thief.Somebody had searched her clothes while she slept and taken the moneywith the object of embarrassing her.
Going to the window, she looked out at the town. It had a mean,dilapidated air; the few inhabitants she saw slowly moving about lookedpoverty-stricken and furtive. Their harsh voices jarred; one couldexpect no sympathy or help from these foreigners. Hitherto she had beenindulged and carefully protected, but she was now alone and in danger,and the novel experience was daunting. Still, she saw that it was unwiseto give her imagination rein. She must keep her head and try to grapplewith the situation.
She finished dressing and without waiting for the morning chocolatefound her way to the room in which she had been received on the previousevening. It stretched across one end of the house on the second floorand was furnished in rather barbarous taste. Although there was aprofusion of colored silk and a hint of sensual luxury, it was obviouslya man's room, and Evelyn studied the woman who joined her when themajordomo brought in breakfast.
Senora Garcia was coarsely handsome, but she had not the easy manners ofa lady of rank and her dark color hinted at Indian blood. Her expressionwas arrogant, and Evelyn felt that she was hostile. Besides, she spokean uncouth Spanish that the girl could not understand at all. Breakfastwas a trial of nerve, but Evelyn knew that she must eat and hide herfears. When breakfast was over she would have a talk with Gomez.
He soon came in, and dismissed the senora Garcia with a commandingglance. Her servile obedience was significant.
"_Buenos dias, senorita_," he greeted Evelyn smilingly.
"When do you expect my father?" she asked bluntly.
"I regret that I cannot answer positively. It may be a week before hecomes--perhaps longer."
"But you brought me here to meet him!"
Gomez smiled, and spread out his hands in a way that always irritatedEvelyn.
"It now appears that the senor Cliffe's business with the President isnot finished," he said.
"It would not prevent his coming to meet me if he had promised."
"You should know best," Gomez answered with a shrug. "Still, it looks asif the senor Cliffe put his business first and is not very anxious aboutyou."
"That is not true!" Evelyn said vehemently. "If he had any cause to beanxious, he would let no business stand in the way!"
"Ah! I admit I find this interesting."
Gomez looked so satisfied that Evelyn feared she had blundered, thoughshe could not see how. Her heart beat fast and her nerves were tenselystrung, but she knew that she must be calm. The man was her antagonistand she was fighting in the dark.
"Well," she said, "since my father has not arrived, I will go to him."
"I am afraid that is impossible. It is a long way to Villa Paz and thecountry is disturbed."
"Do you mean to prevent my going?"
"Far from it, senorita. You are at liberty to do what you wish; butunfortunately, I cannot provide mules and an escort. There are somedangerous revolutionaries among the hills. Then, I must remind you thatour people dislike foreigners, and a lady cannot travel alone andwithout money."
Evelyn felt trapped.
"How do you _know_ I haven't money? Because it was stolen in this house!You must lend me some--my father will repay it."
"Your pardon, senorita, but you are mistaken; I can answer for thehonesty of my servants. I would lend you money, only that I cannotpermit you to make a journey I know is dangerous."
The girl sat still and there was silence for a few moments while shetried to brace herself. She felt that she was at the man's mercy, forthere was something threatening behind his suave politeness, and hissmile indicated that he was amused by her futile struggles. For allthat, she must keep up the fight.
"Then what is to be done?" she asked.
"I suggest that you write to the senor Cliffe and tell him where youare. If you add that you do not feel safe, he will, no doubt, join youas soon as possible. Although it may reflect upon our care of you, wewill see that he gets the letter."
It seemed a simple course, but Evelyn was on her guard. She must matchher wits against the man's, and he had shown a hint of eagerness thatshe thought suspicious. Having brought her to Rio Frio by trickery, whydid he wish her father to know that she felt alarmed?
"I should be glad to write to him, but I do not see why I should makehim uneasy on my account," she said.
There was something in Gomez's expression which indicated that he feltbaffled, and she knew it might be dangerous to provoke him; but heexercised self-control.
"That is for you to judge, but are you not inconsistent, senorita? Youshow some anger and alarm when you do not find your father here, and nowwhen I suggest an easy way of bringing him, you will not take it."
"Do you want him to come here?" Evelyn asked bluntly.
Gomez gave her a steady, thoughtful look.
"On the whole, that would suit us." He paused and added in a meaningtone: "It would facilitate your return to the coast."
Evelyn knew she had been given a hint that was half a threat and it costher something to refuse it, although she felt that to do what the manwished might not be the safest plan.
"After all, it might interfere with his business if I made him leaveVilla Paz before he is ready."
Watching Gomez closely she thought his calm was forced, but he bowed.
"As you wish, senorita, but you will think over it. And now I must leaveyou."
For some minutes after he had gone Evelyn sat with relaxed muscles andvacant mind, for the strain had told; then by degrees her courage cameback. She was an American and must show no weakness to an antagonist ofalien and, she felt, baser blood. Besides, it looked as if she had wonthe first encounter and she had resources which should prove useful. Shehad inherited her father's intelligence, and her social training hadgiven her restraint and the power to conceal her thoughts, while awoman's quick, instinctive perception was an advantage.
All this, however, was not directly to the point. She had been decoyedto Rio Frio for some purpose. She shrank as she remembered LuisaRomanez's hints; still, she did not think Gomez was in love with her.The fellow was a sensualist, but he had some advantage in view, and shehad already suspected what it was. Now she began to understand thematter more clearly. Gomez and the President meant to use her as a meansof getting her father into their power. She did not think his personalsafety was threatened, but they would insist on his agreeing to theirterms as the price of restoring her to him, and it was plain that shewould play into their hands by writing a letter that would cause himanxiety. Evelyn determined that they should not have her help, butalthough she sat for some time with brows knitted and hands clenched,she could make no better plan than to remain quietly obstinate.
It was impossible to reach Villa Paz without money, and although sheshrank from
being left in the power of a man like Gomez, she thought hisself-interest would secure her safety. She might, perhaps, get some oneto carry a message to Grahame if he were on the coast, but she wasreluctant to do so unless the need were urgent.
After a while she got up and went out into the plaza. People gazed ather curiously; some smiled at one another as she passed, and a number ofthe women looked suspicious and hostile. For all that, she was neithermolested nor followed, and when the sun got hot she returned to thehouse, where she spent the day drearily improving her knowledge ofCastilian. It promised to become useful, but the fine language jarredher long afterward.
The week that followed tried her courage. She was, in reality, aprisoner, though subject to no open restraint and treated well, exceptthat the senora Garcia regarded her with badly disguised hatred. Now andthen she saw Gomez, but he was suavely courteous and said nothing ofimportance. She got nervous and lost her color and her appetite, butthere was nothing to do but wait until Gomez, who apparently meant towear her out, made some fresh demand.
One evening he came into the room where she sat and after a ceremoniousgreeting stood with his head slightly bent in an attitude of respect. Hewas dressed in a white uniform which emphasized his stoutness and thedark color of his greasy skin.
"You look tired, senorita," he remarked.
"I am very tired of Rio Frio. Have you come to tell me that I can goaway?"
"That you should be eager to do so grieves me, but I can, perhaps, makeit possible. There is a proposal I wish to make."
"Yes?" Evelyn answered as carelessly as she could.
"You may find what I propose surprising; but I must beg you to thinkover it and you will see that it is not so strange as it seems. I havethe honor to ask you to be my wife."
Evelyn shrank back in horror, as if he had struck her, and then with aneffort recovered her self-control.
"This is impossible, senor; indeed, it is absurd."
"Your pardon," he said with ominous grimness; "I cannot agree. It is, Ithink, the best way out of an embarrassing situation, but this is anargument I do not wish to use. I would rather speak of the charm youexercise and my respectful admiration."
"We can leave that out. I do not value nor desire it."
The man's dark eyes flashed, and Evelyn knew the danger of rousing him.His Spanish polish was only skin-deep, and the savage lurked beneath.For all that, she was desperate and meant to force the conflict.
"Very well," he said; "I must take another course. To begin with, itlooks as if your father did not care what became of you. It is now sometime since he left you at Valverde and he has not troubled to inquire ifyou are safe."
"I do not believe that!"
"Well, we will let it go. The rest is more important. It is known inValverde that you did me the honor to run away with me."
Evelyn jumped up, with the color rushing to her face and her handsclenched. The prudence she tried to exercise had given place toimperious anger.
"You scoundrel!" she cried. "Do you think it matters to me what yourblack-blooded countrymen and women think! Your Moorish customs may benecessary for them, but I am an American!"
Gomez chuckled.
"There were two American _comisionistas_ at Valverde and they must haveheard the story in the cafes. It is, you understand, a romantic episode:the daughter of a well-known financier elopes with a foreign soldier.The _comisionistas_ talk about it when they return and your newspapersmake the most of the tale. Some of them are not reserved or fastidious.It is possible they print your portrait. One can imagine theastonishment of your friends, but the story would be incomplete if itdid not end with a romantic wedding."
The girl drew back in horror. If the tale reached home, the shock wouldbreak her mother down; but it was possible that Gomez was lying. She hadheard of no American drummers in the town.
He gave her no time to recover.
"Then I must show you how what followed our flight from Valverde fitsin. We arrive together at Rio Frio after dark; you find shelter in myhouse."
Evelyn started, for this was worse.
"Your house!" she exclaimed. "Then who is Senora Garcia?"
Gomez smirked in an ugly manner.
"A woman of the town who comes at my bidding."
The jealous hatred of the coarse but handsome woman was now explainedand Evelyn grew hot with humiliation as she saw that the senora Garciaregarded her as a favored rival. It was unendurable; but in spite of heranger she was getting calm. Besides, there was some hope in the thoughtthat Gomez could not be moved by passion. He was a sensual brute, andher beauty had perhaps caught his roving eye, but it was some materialadvantage he sought.
"It was a clever plot; one that only a mind like yours could conceive,"she said with quiet scorn.
"The important thing is that it succeeded. But may I ask why you objectto me? I am a man of influence--in reality, the second in power. Thecountry is disturbed and discontented; before long I may be first."
"Your hopes would probably come to a sudden end, if your master guessedthem," Evelyn answered with a mocking smile.
She saw that she had touched him, for he cast a quick glance at thedoor, as if to make sure that nobody had heard his boast. As he did so,Evelyn thought she heard a faint movement outside, but she knew shemight be mistaken, and Gomez did not seem to notice anything. Todistract his attention, she flung another jibe at him.
"Senor," she said, "though you think I am in your power, I will nevermarry you. It is an insult to suggest it. Even if you were not repulsivein person and character, you are not a white man."
The blood rushed to his face and his eyes flashed.
"You are rash, senorita, in trying to provoke me, but you may take awiser course before I have finished with you. It pains me deeply to becompelled to remind you that you are in my house, in my power. I repeatto you my offer, senorita; I give you one more chance to marry me _ofyour own free will_. And now I leave you to think it over."
Before Evelyn could more than gasp he was gone. She fell limply into achair and dropped her head into her hands. She must think, _think_; butthe strain had been unbearable and the reaction threatened to overwhelmher.