Señora Valentino lowered her eyes in appropriate recognition for the remark.
"I mean she is inexperienced in the world's ways, has always been protected, led a sheltered life, and all that. Well, this man she met occasionally in London some time ago called on her at my house in Monterey. The fellow was simply drunk, and this poor lady, in her simplicity, could see nothing of it. Why, the house guardian met him at my front door, and he began talking nonsense about kings and so on. Think of this! to a stranger too!
"Well, the fellow gained entrance through my sister-in-law. Seems to have behaved while within. Soon came a crony, some old pot-fellow, on a mock errand, and away went the two to carouse again. Then, the Englishman was lost. A hue and cry was raised. The inefficient town police do nothing. Then I make it a military matter, and, behold! the lost one comes walking to my house with a ready story to tell. Thus, the kidnaping. Ha! ha! ha!"
Barcelo subsided into a chair and looked around for approving words.
"How penetrating you men of affairs are!" This from Señora Valentino.
"As the Englishman has made his appearance my anxiety concerning him is over," remarked the padre.
"Certainly! Certainly!" observed Barcelo. "No cause for alarm. The man was taken by drink and cooked up a story to suit the case."
"How clever the Colonel, my brother-in-law, is!" again from Señora Valentino.
"With his work as comandante and the added duties of acting-governor, I cannot see how he will have time to turn," said his wife, admiringly.
The friar laughed gently, Mendoza, more loudly.