The Colonel arose and stood before the others. "Let me give you my theory of the affair," self-complacency shining on his rotund face. "Husband, some other time. The guests are surely arriving and Señor Mendoza wishes to be occupied with them." "Patience, good wife, patience. My dear, if you have a fault in the world it is that you talk too much. Now--let me see where was I when interrupted. O, yes! The Englishman's disappearance. The explanation is a simple one." The Colonel looked meaningly at his auditors. "Just too much aguardiente--native brandy. It's most deceptive stuff for a new beginner. I once had the same experience in Paris with absinthe." "Why, Crisostimo, you never told me! How dare you speak of such a thing?" Señora Barcelo bridling. "It was nothing, Clarinda, nothing, my love. Merely something that might happen to anyone--anyone of investigating mind, I mean, of course. Well, this Englishman----" "O, Crisostimo, when were you in Paris and drank so much absinthe? It's simply disgraceful how we poor women are deceived. I'm going home to my uncle in Spain." "It was years ago, my love, years ago, long before I met you. I was a lieutenant then in the Spanish army. Well, we were speaking of the affair in Monterey. I say----" "The less you say the better," from his wife, tartly. "My dear, how can you fill the position of governor's wife if you possess such small pride!" The words had magic effect. The señora mopped her eyes with a dainty lace kerchief, and in a moment was all smiles. Her husband almost swaggered with suppressed importance. "This Englishman was simply drunk. Let me tell you the whole case," this time without interruption. "The man called on my sister-in-law, Señora Valentino, a very young woman, as you see." Señora Valentino lowered her eyes in appropriate recognition for the remark. "I mean she is inexperienced in the world's ways, has always been protected, led a sheltered life, and all that. Well, this man she met occasionally in London some time ago called on her at my house in Monterey. The fellow was simply drunk, and this poor lady, in her simplicity, could see nothing of it. Why, the house guardian met him at my front door, and he began talking nonsense about kings and so on. Think of this! to a stranger too! "Well, the fellow gained entrance through my sister-in-law. Seems to have behaved while within. Soon came a crony, some old pot-fellow, on a mock errand, and away went the two to carouse again. Then, the Englishman was lost. A hue and cry was raised. The inefficient town police do nothing. Then I make it a military matter, and, behold! the lost one comes walking to my house with a ready story to tell. Thus, the kidnaping. Ha! ha! ha!" Barcelo subsided into a chair and looked around for approving words. "How penetrating you men of affairs are!" This from Señora Valentino.