It was equally evident to Appleby, but, crippled as he was he could find no answer to the question how he was to drag himself any farther, and he lay still, considering the chances of their being given a hidden bed in a forage loft, until there was a great clatter on the stones outside. Harper was on his feet in a moment, and sprang to the window grim in face, but once there he laughed. “Only a carriage with a man and a woman in it,” he said, “You let me do the talking if old yellow‐face wants to turn us out of here. Anyway, if I go, what’s left of the wine goes with me.” To make sure of this he slipped the bottle into his pocket, and turned discreetly when the landlord came in. “By permission, gentlemen, I will show you another room,” he said. “This one will serve quite well,” said Harper in Castilian. The landlord concealed his impatience by a gesture of deprecation. “Comes a rich American and a lady,” he said. “These people are, it seems, fastidious, but they pay me well.” “An American,” said Harper condescendingly. “Well, we are equal there in my country, and I do not object to his company. You can show him in.” It was too late for the innkeeper to expostulate, for a man in white duck and a girl in a long white dress came into the room, while Appleby set his lips when he recognized the latter. He was ragged, dirty, and unkempt, while one shoe was horribly crusted, and it was very much against his wishes to encounter Nettie Harding a second time in much the same condition. Harper, however, appeared in no way disconcerted, and stepped forward, a dilapidated scarecrow, with the bottle neck projecting suggestively from his pocket. “Come right in, Mr. Harding,” he said. “It’s quite pleasant to meet a countryman in this forlorn land.” Harding smiled dryly, but his daughter turned to Appleby with a gleam of compassion in her eyes and held out her hand. “We are very glad to meet you, Mr. Broughton,” she said. Appleby felt grateful for the tactful kindness which restrained any sign of astonishment, but Harding laughed. “I never go back upon anything my daughter says, but I don’t know that I’m sorry we shall not be honored with the company of any more of the Sin Verguenza,” he said. “We have ordered comida, and should be pleased if you will sit down with us.” Appleby would have excused himself, but Harper broke in, “The Sin Verguenza have gone, and it’s not going to worry me if they never come back again. As to the other question, I can generally find a use for a dinner, and if my company’s any pleasure be glad to throw it in.” Appleby would have offered an explanation, but Harper silenced him by a gesture, and the landlord came in with the viands. “Bring more plates. These gentlemen will eat with me,” said Harding.