The other two resumed their seats, O'Moy leaning forward, his elbows on the writing-table, immediately facing Senhor Forjas.
"First, however," he said, "to deal with this affair of Tavora.

The Council of Regency will, no doubt, have been informed of all the circumstances.

You will be aware, therefore, that this very deplorable business was the result of a misapprehension, and that the nuns of Tavora might very well have avoided all this trouble had they behaved in a sensible, reasonable manner.

If instead of shutting themselves up in the chapel and ringing the alarm bell the Mother-Abbess or one of the sisters had gone to the wicket and answered the demand of admittance from the officer commanding the detachment, he would instantly have realised his mistake and withdrawn." "What does your Excellency suggest was this mistake ?" inquired the Secretary.
"You have had your report, sir, and surely it was complete.

You must know that he conceived himself to be knocking at the gates of the monastery of the Dominican fathers." "Can your Excellency tell me what was this officer's business at the monastery of the Dominican fathers ?" quoth the Secretary, his manner frostily hostile.
"I am without information on that point," O'Moy admitted; "no doubt because the officer in question is missing, as you will also have been informed.