Alberto arose, huddled his blanket more closely about his shoulders, and came to the rider. "Several señoras and señors will be at the meal," he said in a low voice. In yet lower tone he added: "They are there to see the arrival of the English, and the defeat of the gringos Americanos--the Bostons." Bowing obsequiously, he glided over to his place on the threshold. "Señora Valentino and friends are now at the castle, you say?" "Si, señor." Farquharson galloped back to the city plaza. He paused for a moment. The horse was restless in the chilly air. Its shod hoofs, clattering on the pavement, struck showers of sparks. He rode on a few steps, and stopped again, listening intently. "'Tis only the boom of the surf," and started out briskly for the castle. On arriving he saw light coming through the windows, and heard the voices and laughter of men and women. Two or three peons bearing baskets appeared at the postern. "I wish to speak with Señora Valentino. Tell her Captain Farquharson is here." The señora soon was at the door. "I'm here, Captain." "Barcelo's in the sulks." "As I expected." "As to his giving the right hand of fellowship to Fairbanks, that is not to be thought of." "Again, as I expected." "When I saw him he was as savage as a caged bear." The señora nodded her head meditatively. "It's well the cannon are spiked." "They have been unspiked. Some one has drilled out the priming tubes." "You don't mean it, señora!" "Exactly." "My hat! It's enough to drive one mad." "Last night, about midnight, I heard Fairbanks off Point Pinos signaling the other vessels in his fleet; so he's near at hand, and I've got together a little company to welcome him." "To think that this of all days should see such blooming fog. If 'twould only clear up so the Admiral could get in, it would end all this fuss. But, something must be done about Barcelo. Some of these men hereabouts are talking more and more in favor of a California republic. Their nonsense has evidently got into the Colonel's system." "And disappointed ambition might have another chance if such a republic came into being. My brother-in-law has a good deal of the bulldog in him." "I am willing to believe almost anything of him now. But we've got to get to work; otherwise he'll be down here, likely as not, blowing off his fireworks again." "Have you a suggestion, Captain?" "No. I've thought till I can't think any longer. In the first place, I can't do anything with him; and it's too far for you to go out there. In the second place----" "It will be best for me to be here when Fairbanks comes. When he once gets in we must take him by the hand and keep him here."