ke it.

"Well, Christina told me she was very busy, but I dare say she'll see
you for a few minutes."

"I dare say she will," I said dryly.

"I must be off now. I shall have to be about all day, trying to catch
those infernal fellows who destroyed the bills."

"You won't be doing any business to-day, then?"

"What, about settling the Government?" he asked, grinning. "Not just
yet. Wait till I've got the signorina and the money, and then we'll
see about that. You think about the money, my boy!"

Much to my relief he then departed, and as he went out I swore that
neither signorina nor money should he ever have. In the course of the
next twenty-four hours I must find a way to prevent him.

"Rather early for a call," said I, "but I must see the signorina."

On my way up I met several people, and heard some interesting facts.
In the first place, no trace had appeared of Don Antonio and his
daughter; rumor declared that they had embarked on _The Songstress_
with the President and his faithful doctor. Secondly, Johnny Carr was
still in bed at the Golden House (this from Mme. Devarges, who had
been to see him); but his men had disappeared, after solemnly taking
the oath to the new Government. Item three: The colonel had been
received with silence and black looks by the troops, and two officers
had vanished into space, both Americans, and the only men of any good
in a fight. Things were looking rather blue, and I began to think that
I also should like to disappear, provided I could carry off my money
and my mistress with me. My scruples about loyalty had been removed by
the colonel's overbearing conduct, and I was ready for any step that
promised me the fulfillment of my own designs. It was pretty evident
that there would be no living with McGregor in his present frame of
mind, and I was convinced that my best course would be to cut the
whole thing, or, if that proved impossible, to see what bargain I
could make with the President. Of course, all would go smoothly with
him if I gave up the dollars and the lady; a like sacrifice would
conciliate McGregor. But then, I didn't mean to make it.

"One or other I will have," said I, as I knocked at the door of "Mon
Repos," "and both if possible."

The signorina was looking worried; indeed, I thought she had been
crying.

"Did you meet my aunt on your way up?" she asked, the moment I was
announced.

"No," said I.

"I've sent her away," she continued. "All this fuss frig