CHAPTER XXXV.
BATEATO KEEPS HIS PROMISE.
Although the escaping thief was brushed back into the room rather rudely and Travers Gladwin cried out as he caught sight of the uniformed officer and his men, “By Jove, captain, I’m glad you’ve come,” the consummate bluffer did not bat an eyelash or manifest the merest symptom of fear, stepping easily to one side and watching for the coming of his cue with feline alertness.
For a moment Captain Stone devoted himself only to the distribution of his men, posting them at all the windows and doors. When he was satisfied that every avenue of escape was covered he turned to Phelan with the sharp query:
“What’s all this, Phelan?”
“I caught them trying to get away with Mr. Gladwin’s”–––
“Yes, it was by the luckiest chance,” broke in Travers Gladwin.
“Is this Mr. Gladwin?” the captain stopped him, curtly.
“No, the other one, captain,” replied Phelan, indicating the thief; whereupon that gentleman bowed.