the Hotel de los Extranjeros, the residence of the Vesuvius Fruit
Company's agent, the store and residence of Bernard Brannigan,
a ruined cathedral in which Columbus had once set foot, and, most
imposing of all, the Casa Morena--the summer "White House" of
the President of Anchuria. On the principal street running along
the beach--the Broadway of Coralio--were the larger stores, the
government ~bodega~ and post-office, the ~cuartel~, the rum-shops
and the market place.

On his way Goodwin passed the house of Bernard Brannigan. It was a
modern wooden building, two stories in height. The ground floor was
occupied by Brannigan's store, the upper one contained the living
apartments. A wide cool porch ran around the house half way up its
outer walls. A handsome, vivacious girl neatly dressed in flowing
white leaned over the railing and smiled down upon Goodwin. She was
no darker than many an Andalusian of high descent; and she sparkled
and glowed like a tropical moonlight.

"Good evening, Miss Paula," said Goodwin, taking off his hat, with
his ready smile. There was little difference in his manner whether
he addressed women or men. Everybody in Coralio liked to receive
the salutation of the big American.

"Is there any news, Mr. Goodwin? Please don't say no. Isn't it
warm? I feel just like Mariana in her moated grange--or was it a
range?--it's hot enough."

"No, there's no news to tell, I believe," said Goodwin, with a
mischievous look in his eye, "except that old Geddie is getting
grumpier and crosser every day. If something doesn't happen to