Though De Sylva, General Russo, San Benavides, and some score of members of the President's staff who usually dined at the _finca_, were now absent, there was no lack of lively chatter. A very Babel of tongues mixed in amity. The prevalent note was one of cheery animation. Carmela exerted herself to win popularity, and a President's daughter need not put forth very strenuous efforts in that direction to be acclaimed by most. Iris was listening, with real interest, to Verity's description of the finding of Macfarlane in the _Andromeda's_ boat by a Cardiff-bound collier three days after he had drifted away from Fernando Noronha. "The yarn kem to us through the Consul at Pernambuco," he said. "Evidently, from wot you tell me, it's all right. Poor ole Mac 'ad a bad time afore 'e was picked up, but 'e was alive, an' I'm jolly glad of it, for 'e'll be a first-rate witness w'en this business comes up in court." "Wot court?" demanded Coke sharply. "The court that settles our claim, of course," retorted Verity, with a quick ferret look at his fellow-conspirator. "There'll be no claim. The President means to stump up in style. You take my tip, an' shut up about courts," said Coke. "It'll cost Brazil a tidy penny," remarked Bulmer thoughtfully. "Nobody would ever imagine wot bags of gold an' parcels of di'monds sailors an' firemen carry around in their kit-bags till a ship is lost an' a Gover'ment 'as to pay." Watts deemed this an exquisite joke. He laughed loudly. "That reminds me," he cried. "W'en the _Gem of the Sea_ turned turtle on the James an' Mary----" A _criado_, a nondescript man-servant attached to the household, stooped over Iris and whispered something. She gathered that she was wanted in the _pateo_, or court-yard, which, owing to the construction of the house, stood on one side instead of in front, where the lawn usurped its usual position. "Who is it?" she asked. The voice sank even lower. "Colonel San Benavides, Senhora." She had gathered sufficient of Brazilian ways to understand that the man had been bribed to convey this request to her without attracting attention. "Tell him to wait," she said, hoping to gain a moment wherein to decide how best to act. "It is urgent, Senhora--_ao mesmo tempo_, the colonel said." "Go! That is my answer."