Captain Hervey, amused by the surprise visible on every face, sauntered
forward, hat on head and cheroot in mouth as usual. But when he saw Lucy
he removed both with a politeness scarcely to be expected from so rude
and ready and rough a mariner.
"I beg pardon for coming here uninvited," said Hervey awkwardly, "but
I've been chasing the Don all over Pierside and through this village.
They told me at the police office that you"--he spoke to De Gayangos
"had doubled on your trail, so here I am for a little private
conversation."
The Peruvian looked gravely at Hervey's face, which was clearly revealed
in the powerful light of the many lamps with which the museum was
filled, and rose to bow.
"I am glad to see you, sir," he said politely, and with a still more
searching glance. "With the permission of our host I shall ask you to
take a chair," and he turned to Braddock.
"Certainly! certainly!" said the Professor fussily. "Cockatoo?"
"Pardon, allow me," said De Gayangos, and brought forward a chair,
still keeping his eyes on the skipper, who was rather confused by the
courtesy. "Will you be seated, senor: then we can talk."
Hervey sat down quietly close to the Peruvian; who then leaned forward
to address him.
"You will have a cigarette?" he asked, offering a silver case.
"Thanks, no. I'll smoke a cheroot if the lady don't mind."
"Not at all," replied Lucy, who, along with Archie and the Professor,
was puzzled by Don Pedro's manner. "Please smoke!"
In taking back the case Don Pedro allowed it to drop. As he made no
motion of picking it up, Hervey, although annoyed with himself for
his politeness towards a yellow-stomach, as he called De Gayangos, was
compelled to stretch for it. As he handed it back to Don Pedro, the
Peruvian's eyes lighted up and he nodded gravely.
"Thank you, Vasa," said De Gayangos, and Hervey, changing color, leaped
from his seat as though touched by a spear-point.