"I see no reason for making any mystery of it," he said. "I did meet Miss Rojas. But I can't say I know her. I met her when she was out riding with her groom. I thought she was an American. She needed some help, which I was able to give her. That is all."
Vega approached Roddy, leaning forward as though he were about to spring on him. His eyes were close to Roddy's face.
"And what was the nature of this help?" he demanded.
"Answer me!" cried the Venezuelan. "I have the right. No one has a better right."
He flung up his right arm dramatically, and held it tense and trembling, as though it were poised to hurl a weapon.
"You were watched!" he cried hysterically. "I _know_ that you met. And you tried to deceive me. Both of you. She will try, also----"
The moonlight disappeared before the eyes of Colonel Vega, and when again he opened them he was looking dizzily up at the swaying masts and yards. Roddy, with his hand at Vega's throat, was forcing his shoulders back against the rail. His free hand, rigid and heavy as a hammer, swung above the Venezuelan's face.
"Yesterday," panted Roddy, "I saved your life. If you insult that girl with your dirty, Latin mind, so help me--I will _take_ it!"
He flung the man from him, but Vega, choking with pain and mortification, staggered forward.
"It is _you_ who insult her," he shrieked. "It is I who protect her. Do you know _why_? Do you know what she is to me? She is my promised wife!"
For a moment the two men stood, swaying with the gentle roll of the ship, staring into each other's eyes. Above the sound of the wind in the cordage and the whisper of the water against the ship's side, Roddy could hear himself breathing in slow, heavy respirations. Not for an instant did he doubt that the man told the truth. Vega had spoken with a conviction that was only too genuine, and his statement, while it could not justify, seemed to explain his recent, sudden hostility. With a sharp effort, Roddy recovered himself. He saw that no matter how deeply the announcement might affect him, Vega must believe that to the American it was a matter of no possible consequence.
"You should have told me this at first," he said quietly. "I thought your questions were merely impertinent."