dos at Alcantara after a journey more expeditious than pleasant.
I found all my possessions in good order, and returned immediately to the villa, to take charge of the papers left by my uncle. The room in which he said they had been deposited, was strictly searched, but neither the will nor the smallest fragment of the writings alluded to could be found. My diligence was such, that I left not a corner all over the house unsearched, but still without success. I had no reason to doubt my uncle's veracity, and began to suspect, that the papers must have been stolen. Upon the strictest enquiry among the servants, it appeared, that Don Pedro's confidential valet had inhabited that part of the premises, by permission of Don Antonio, as at the time of the former's departure he was prevented by an illness of several weeks, from accompanying his master to Mexico. That man had quitted the villa only three months before my arrival, and was gone to Cadiz to embark for South America. As his character had always appeared fair and honest, my deceased friend, who had no
