Mendoza extinguished the taper. In one hand he still held its end; in the other he meaningly grasped the flint. He did not speak. Billings repeated his command, till every wondering marine had embarked. Mendoza's peon riflemen filed into the castle; white gunners who had seen service in Manila, manned the cannon. The muzzle of the ordnance inclined until their lips opened threateningly over the boats teetering in the surf. Three hundred sharpshooters, lent Mendoza by Captain Sutter, of New Helvetia, thickened in the auxiliary battery. A salvo would be echoed by a thousand small arms. Commodore Billings foresaw certain destruction in resistance. As he was stepping into the last-departing boat Mendoza said to him: "Because you came as conqueror we bid you go." In an hour the harbor was empty, the flagpoles of square and castle bare. CHAPTER XXX ODDS AND ENDS Señora Valentino, rather pale, was sitting in the room adjoining the treasure-chamber of the old Spanish governor. Captain Farquharson was opposite. "So you return to Europe to-morrow, Captain." "Yes, señora, and glad am I to have the conveniences of a home-going war vessel. When do you go?" "In a month or so--some time in the latter part of October." "I regret I was able to give your brilliant work here such inefficient aid." "My work here has been a brilliant failure," with a little laugh that was half a sigh. "Señora, except for an altogether unforseeable combination of adverse circumstances California to-day would be English territory." "Yes, if the wind had not blown; if the fog had not obscured, and if night had not come; or, to put it in different words, if Fairbanks had not been Fairbanks." "The magnanimity of these squadron commanders is overpowering, Admiral Fairbanks having his equal in Commodore Billings. Why, the capital simply rolled into Billings's hands. Then, he and Mendoza are seen in the castle holding some sort of a conference. The first thing we know, the castle is evacuated, and the Administrator of Mission San José is left cock of the walk." "That is history as it is written, Captain." "What do you mean?" "O, nothing of any consequence. I was merely thinking aloud; that is all." "My lady, I assure you I was standing at the old parade ground, an interested spectator of the exhibition of the manual of arms, when the occurrence of which I have spoken took place." "My peon friend, Alberto, crept up under a window, within earshot of Commodore Billings and Señor Mendoza as they were having that little conference of theirs. What Alberto heard has cost him many a nightmare since." "Señora, I'm in the dark." "Well, well, Captain, in any case, it is a closed book to us now. Administrator Mendoza has gained advantage in the first throw. We'll leave England's cause in the hands of those whom the Home Office will send out. Who wins the game only the future will disclose." "Many will miss you here, my lady."