"Talk over the matter! That's just the trouble. It's talk, talk, talk!—and nothing done! Just wait till I meet Fairbanks! I'll——"
"Now, see here, Captain Farquharson. I'm only a business man, and I don't know anything about fighting, as you intimate. But, can't you and the señora bring Barcelo to some reasonable attitude in this affair? Have him and Admiral Fairbanks arrange an entente cordiale, so that Monterey will pass into our hands without a repetition of this morning's fusillade."
The consul's wife ushered in Señora Valentino.
"Friends, I have received news from Half Moon Bay," the señora announced, coming to the point at once, and waiving all greetings.
"Of Billings's fleet?"
"Yes. The sloop-of-war, the Cyane, went aground some time yesterday."
"How did the news come? Is it authentic?"
"It is, Captain. Alberto, the peon, brought me word. By day and night he hurried."
"Splendid, señora!"
"Commodore Billings has only one other vessel, and that is his flagship, the United States," added the señora.