"But, senor! Is it not you who have stood beneath her window nightly? Is it not you who have laid siege to her these many days?" The speaker's eyes were glowing with anger as he turned to make his inquiry clear to the young lady's father. Mr. Torres began to swell ominously. "If you'll just let me explain. I'm in love with a young woman, true enough, but it doesn't happen to be Miss Torres. I thought it was, but it isn't." There was another vibrant exchange of words between the Spaniards. "You were making sport, then, of my friend--" "No, no! It's another person altogether." "Who?" "I don't know her name." "WHAT?" Herara was about to burst forth when his friend nudged him and he was obliged to put this amazing declaration into Spanish. Senor Torres breathed heavily and exploded an oath. "I met her in the country and made a mistake in the town houses," Kirk floundered on. "I never knew till this morning that I was on the wrong trail. It is all my fault. I thought the lady's name was Torres." "Eh? So you love one whom you do not know? Incredible!" "It does sound a little fishy." "And it is a grave affront to my friend. How will the senorita understand?--she in whose breast is awakened already an answering thrills?" "I'm mighty sorry. If you wish, I'll apologize in person to Miss Torres." At this Herara cried out in horror; then, after a brief colloquy with the father, he rose stiffly, saying: "I offer no words from my friend. For the present he does not believe, nor do I. Inquiries will be institute, of that be assured. If you have deceived--if your intentions were not of the most honorable"--the head of the Herara Business College glared in a horrible manner--"you will have occasion to regret those foolish jokes." Kirk tried to explain that his present regrets were ample for all time, but, bowing formally, the visitors withdrew, leaving him to revile anew the name of Allan Allan. When the black boy returned, foot-sore but cheerful, his appearance was the signal for an outburst that left him disconsolate and bewildered. He apologized over and over for his little error, and tried to reinstate himself by announcing, with a confidence he was far from feeling, that this time he had identified the elusive Chiquita beyond the peradventure of a doubt. This welcome intelligence did much to make Kirk forget his wrath. "What's her name?" he inquired, eagerly. "Fermina, sar." "Are you sure?" "H'entirely. But it will not h'avail to be courting of those ladies, Master h'Auntony." "Is there more than one?" "Two of they--sisters--very rich. They h'occupy the 'ouse h'adjoining Senor Torres."