XVIII
THE SIEGE OF MARIA TORRES
The faithful Allan was not long in fulfilling his mission. Such devotion as his, it seemed, could hardly fail, and, if there had been a hundred Chiquitas, doubtless he would have corralled them all. He conveyed the impression that, if it had been necessary to journey beyond the grave and bring back the ghost of some dead-and-gone Chiquita, he would have gloriously succeeded. One morning, a few days later, he appeared to Kirk, bursting with importance and news.
"Well, sar! I have discovered your female," he announced, pompously.
"No? What's her name? Who is she?"
"Her is named Maria Torres, sar, and resides in the small 'ouse you h'observed upon the 'ill."
"Did you SEE her?" Anthony could hardly believe his ears.
"Oh yes, very h'extensively."
"What does she look like? Is she dark?"
"Very dark, sar."