“Nor met either the Dictator or Don José?”
“Never. I know nothing of either, except the gossip that one hears.”
“The danger threatened your sister more than yourself, Mr. Kingsborough. I gathered from what was said that this man in Santa Barbara had a grudge against your sister, perhaps of some years’ standing.”
“I think that’s out of the question.”
“There is no other Miss Kingsborough here, or any Spanish lady?”
“Spanish lady? No, nor other Miss Kingsborough.”
“They meant your sister, then.”
“Yes, but that is impossible. Of course, I am very much obliged to you for coming to warn me. It was very good of you. Do you think that we are in danger?”
“They were a bad two, mixed up with others worse; and we have a saying, ‘It’s better to be sure than sorry.’ ”
“Well; thanks. Only, I must say that I do not understand it.”