She leaned toward him and placed her hand on the arm of his chair. "A few months ago I saw Doctor McLoughlin, head of the Hudson Bay Company, at Vancouver. He knows of the work of your missionary Whitman. My Commodore, twenty British ships-of-war are in the Pacific waters. I saw them, one and all, on my journey to the North. They are not far from here." "So many, Señora Valentino?" "That many." "I did not think Admiral Fairbanks----" She waited for him to continue. As he did not she went on: "That enthusiast, Mendoza, thinks he can persuade you to seize our capital, Monterey. Suppose you do? The province will seethe in rebellion, and call to Admiral Fairbanks for aid. He will give it. That means war. Your United States is unprepared for war at sea. Mexico then goes under an English protectorate. Texas goes back to Mexico, and England will then control the Pacific Coast from the tropics to the Russian line in the far north." Both were standing now. "Señora Valentino, neither Mendoza, nor anyone, can lead me into an unconsidered move in this matter." "To-night you had an appointment with Mendoza. Fate intervened. To-morrow sees not the danger removed. He will ask you to seize this province for the United States. Commodore Billings, ruin comes if you do." "Señora, I have never seen Mendoza." "You know of his wishes. Others do." "But I shall judge for myself." Again her inscrutable smile. "Commodore, I thank you. I mean--that is to say--I thank you for listening to me to-night. I pray good will come of it." Her hand was on his arm. He took it in fervent grasp. "Señora, Europe knows you for a brilliant woman. I say you are that, and more. I am glad to have met you again." He looked at his watch. "It is late. I fear I have kept you too long. I ask your pardon." "My Commodore, have a care, only, that you do not ask pardon of the world one day for what your decision to-morrow may bring about." "Your words do you honor, señora. May I ask leave now to retire?" "The leave is yours, Commodore." After good night had been said Señora Valentino returned to her chair by the fire. Into the flames she looked for a long time. "The Commodore talks in his silence," she finally said to herself, smiling grimly. "The pages of this drama fast turn themselves--very fast--to the issue. 'But I shall judge for myself.' Ah! Commodore, your silence is indeed golden. So, Mendoza wishes you to seize Monterey--evidently--but, 'you will judge for yourself.' Discreet Commodore! But we shall see--we shall see!" The thick oaken log in the fireplace was ashes before the señora went to her room. CHAPTER XXII ALMOST----