"We've always made the Captain so welcome when he came here, and he was such an intimate friend of you, Silvia. How could he have meditated such treason against us all?" "Treason is just the name for it. But--England isn't here yet, and I've got something to say about her coming. I am comandante of this presidio." "Why, of course!" his wife cheering up. "Yes, of course! Of course," exulted the Colonel. "Silvia," asked her sister, "haven't you something to suggest? People say you are so bright." Señora Valentino turned away to hide her smile. "The English consul and Señor Farquharson told you that Captain Morando is to receive the honor of which you speak?" addressing Barcelo. "Well, it was this way. You see, I forced their hand. Just pinned them down; so, yes, or no, was all they could say," with a knowing nod. A servant entered. "A message from the porter," she announced. "Speak!" commanded her master. "An orderly is at the door and requests to see Colonel Barcelo." "Show him up here." The soldier entered, saluted his commander and bowed to the women. "I have the honor to say the lookout at the castle reports ships entering the outer harbor." "Coming, are they? Well, I shall let them see I am a soldier and a caballero; and, perhaps," moving his head from side to side, "that I am in command of the castle here. Clarinda, where is my new uniform? I shall appear in that, as befits the occasion." The Colonel's wife, all a-flutter, took his arm and walked with him down the veranda stairs, Señora Valentino following. The atmosphere of Monterey was tense with feeling that morning. By some telepathy news of the expected event had spread out from the capital. Hamlet, hacienda, and Indian rancheria were alike agog. "Benito, the horses," called Barcelo, coming to the porte-cochere. The acting governor made an imposing figure in his full colonel's regimentals. He mounted his horse with heavy dignity. "Wife, and sister Silvia, you ride with me." They rode along the street to the public square. Already it bore resemblance to a fiesta day. Sidewalks were lined with men talking with lightninglike rapidity between puffs of their cigaritos. Peon and ranchero joined in the talk. Windows, verandas, roofs, even, were splendid in the vari-colored dress and headgear of the señora, señorita and peona. The whole world of Monterey became akin under stress of the greatest day it had ever known. The Colonel endeavored to push rapidly through the square on his way to the castle. He was one of very many bent on the same errand. Carretas strained and squeaked in the press; horses snorted, reared, plunged; pedestrians risked life and limb by darting hither and thither, as opening presented. "Out of the way! Out of the way!" Barcelo shouted after a little. "Here I am, only half way to the castle. Out of the way, I say! The Governor and his party are coming."