Santiago reflected for a moment, then he took out his revolver and tossed it carelessly on to the table. "You are the stronger Señor. I give in. Allow me to roll a cigarette, and I will answer all your questions. I am not afraid, for I can swear by the Holy Mother that I did not kill Carr and--" added Santiago with a gay laugh, "I rather regret I did not." "Come," said Herrick lighting his pipe, "the story. In the first place where did you meet Colonel Carr?" "In Mexico about twenty years ago. You would not think it to look at me. But I am not young, Señor Herrick." "Did you meet Frisco at the same time?" "Joyce's father? I did." "Wait a moment," said Robin, "I wanted to tell Herrick the precise relationship between myself and Colonel Carr, but I grew confused. Was not my mother his niece? I forget. I am so muddled." "No. It is this way. The uncle of Colonel Carr, a younger brother of his father was turned out of doors by the grandfather. He went to the States and married. He died leaving a widow and daughter. The widow died and the daughter married an American. Your father was the son, and he married your mother. You are their son. Therefore you were a kind of third or fourth cousin to Carr. Your father Frisco was a second cousin. I think it is this way, but," Santiago shrugged his shoulders "your English relationships are so very confusing." "Cousins will do," said Herrick. "Did Carr know that Frisco--we will continue to call him so as it is rather confusing--did Carr I say, know that Frisco was his second cousin?" "Yes! For that reason he allowed Mrs. Joyce an annuity of five hundred a year." "Why was it not continued to our friend here?" Don Manuel laughed. "I think the Colonel and Frisco had quarrelled by then, and Carr had told him to look after his own brat." "How dare you?" cried Robin jumping up. "My friend, I repeat what the Colonel said. That is all." Herrick interposed. "Did Mrs. Joyce know that Frisco was with Carr?" "Oh, dear me no. She thought she was a widow." "That is true," said Robin gloomily, "my mother always said that my father had died in America. I could not believe that Frisco was my father until he convinced me." "I think we both convinced you," said the Mexican with a laugh, "but it strikes me Dr. Herrick that we are beginning the story at the wrong end. Let me tell it in my own way. It will be much clearer." "I hope it will be true." "Oh, as to that I have no reason to conceal anything now," said Don Manuel with a shrug, "you may as well know all. The money is lost and I shall return to Mexico as poor as I set out. Well?"