"Not the slightest. It has served its purpose. However, you will have
to wait until you meet Loustalot somewhere outside the boundaries of
the Rancho Palomar, sir. I had comforted myself with the thought that
he was safe under lock and key here, but, to my vast surprise, I met
him in the bank at El Toro making futile efforts to withdraw his cash
before I could attach the account. The confounded ingrate informs me
that Mr. Okada turned him loose."

There was no mistaking the disapproval in the glance which Parker
turned upon Okada.

"Is this true, Mr. Okada?"

"It is not true," Okada replied promptly. "I know nozzing about.
Nozzing."

"Well, Pablo thinks it is true, Mr. Okada." Don Miguel's voice was
unruffled, his manner almost benignant. "The old man is outside, and
absolutely broken-hearted. His honor appears to be quite gone. I
imagine," Don Mike continued, with a fleeting and whimsical glance at
the potato baron, "that he has evolved some primitive plan for making
his honor whole again. Direct methods always did appeal to Pablo."

"Mr. Farrel," John Parker began, "I regret this incident more than I
can say. I give you my word of honor I had nothing to do with it
directly or indirectly--"

"John, for goodness' sake, old dear, give Mr. Farrel credit for some
common sense. He knows very well you wouldn't break bread with him and
then betray him. Don't you, Mr. Farrel?" Mrs. Parker pleaded.