"What a country! What a land this will be when the union jack tips the flag-pole at Monterey!"
"A country well worth the hire, Captain mine."
"You speak of Friar Lusciano Osuna. I called on him, not long since, with letters. He was ill, but very courteous. I explained a little of our work here. I take it he is a Mexican citizen."
"He is a citizen of Great Britain."
"Perhaps by some sufferance."
"By his eminent right! That government would go much farther in his protection than it would for you or for me, though we are its special agents in a great cause."
"Just the man we need, then, señora."
A knock at the door.
Noiselessly weight and spring raised the movable wall to its place.
Without was an elderly Mexican leaning rather stiffly on a cane.