"Now, señora, why was it you sent the hurried messenger last night? What did Billings say that you thought such haste necessary?" "Practically nothing." "I beg pardon, señora. You must have misunderstood me. I----" "I understood you perfectly." "Well, then, señora, think of your reply." "My reply was that Commodore Billings said practically nothing from which I thought haste necessary. It was from what he palpably refrained from saying that I made my inference." Farquharson drew his bridle-rein. His horse curveted over the turf, under pressure of the curb-bit. He drew the animal back to the woman's side. "Señora Valentino, what does Billings intend to do?" "To seize Monterey for the United States if----" "If what?" "If he can find reasonable excuse, in the attitude of the hacenderos here, for such a move." "But can he?" "He can, if Colonel Mendoza is minded to supply it." "But, señora, at the Mendoza baile the entire countryside cried out for an English protectorate." "Yes, but we made the minds of these men for them. The structure may not be the most lasting." "But, perdition! they----" "Admiral Fairbanks must seize Monterey as soon as he reaches there," she went on. "He must! By heaven he must! I'll ruin him before all England if he flinches." "Remember, Captain, Commodore Billings will fight." "My word, señora! Fight us! Why, bless my soul! our fleet outnumbers him at least three to one. Fairbanks could sink him in an hour." The woman leaned in her saddle toward the officer. "I shall be in Monterey all day to-morrow. So must you, Captain." They shook hands over the manes of their horses and parted company, the Captain riding swiftly across the fields, the lady walking her mount toward San José. The adobe walls of the fort were a dozen feet or so in height, with eaves projecting outward, the better to prevent scaling by a possible enemy. Within these walls was a row of buildings in which were the officers of the alcalde, the subprefect, the jefe-politico and other civil officers of the pueblo. Here also were the quarters of Morando's men. The Captain himself had a reception room in one corner of an edifice facing the street. A motley gathering was in this room, also clustered around the door as the Señora Valentino drew rein. Her mounted escort had drawn up on either side of her in orderly lines, each peon so tightening his bridle that the horses walked in perfect step. Captain Morando, the comandante, pushed his way through the crowd to the lady's side. "Thrice glad am I to see you, amiga mia. Will you not alight and rest awhile?" "Thank you, Captain." He released her foot from the stirrup and assisted her to the ground. "My poor place shines like the morning in answer to your presence, señora." She smiled on him and looked about over the waiting crowd. "Why so many sad faces here, Captain?"