frank, I told him everything—­who I am, who Mr. Brimmer is, and given him even the connections of my friend Miss Chubb.  I can do no more; but you will surely have no difficulty in finding some one in Todos Santos who has heard of the Quincys and Brimmers.  I’ve no doubt that there are books in your library that mention them.  Of course I can say nothing of the other passengers, except that Mr. Brimmer would not have probably permitted me to associate with any notorious persons.  I confess now—­I think I told you once before, Clarissa—­that I greatly doubted Captain Bunker’s ability”—­

“Ah,” murmured Don Ramon.

“—­To make a social selection,” continued Mrs. Brimmer.  “He may have been a good sailor, and boxed his compass, but he lacked a knowledge of the world.  Of the other passengers I can truly say I know nothing; I cannot think that Mr. Crosby’s sense of humor led him into bad associations, or that he ever went beyond verbal impropriety.  Certainly nothing in Miss Keene’s character has led me to believe she could so far forget what was due to herself and to us as to address a lawless mob in the streets as she did just now; although her friend Mrs. Markham, as I just told Don Ramon, is an advocate of Women’s Rights and Female Suffrage, and I believe she contemplates addressing the public from the lecturer’s platform.”

“It isn’t possible!” interrupted Don Ramon excitedly, in mingled horror of the masculinely rampant Mrs. Markham and admiration of the fascinatingly feminine Mrs. Brimmer; “a lady cannot be an orator—­a haranguer of men!”

“Not in society,” responded Mrs. Brimmer, with a sigh, “and I do not remember to have met the lady before.  The fact is, she does not move in our circle—­in the upper classes.”

The Alcalde exchanged a glance with the Padre.

“Ah! you have classes? and she is of a distinct class, perhaps?”

“Decidedly,” said Mrs. Brimmer promptly.

“Pardon me,” said Padre Esteban, with gentle persuasiveness, “but you are speaking of your fellow-passengers.  Know you not, then, of one Hurlstone, who is believed to be still in the ship Excelsior, and perhaps of the party who seized it?”

“Mr. Hurlstone?—­it is possible; but I know really nothing of him,” said Mrs. Brimmer carelessly.  “I don’t think Clarissa did, either—­did you, dear?  Even in our enforced companionship we had to use some reserve, and we may have drawn the line at him!  He was a friend of Miss Keene’s; indeed, she was the only one who seemed to know him.”

“And she is now here?” asked the Padre eagerly.

“No.  She is with her friend the Senora Markham, at the Presidio.  The Comandante has given her the disposition of his house,” said Don Ramon, with a glance of grave archness at Mrs. Brimmer; “it is not known which is the most favored, the eloquent orator or the beautiful and daring leader!”

“Mrs. Markham is a married woman,” said Mrs. Brimmer severely, “and, of course, she can do as she pleases; but it is far different with Miss Keene.  I should scarcely consider it proper to expose Miss Chubb to the hospitality of a single man, without other women, and I cannot understand how she could leave the companionship and protection of your lovely sisters.”