Ashley’s acquaintance is evidently making an effort to keep his temper, but his resentment is apparent in the flash of his eyes and the red spot in each cheek.
“By Jove!” suddenly reflects Ashley, “perhaps our military friend understands English. I’ll try him.” Then to the apparent leading spirit of the quartet, who has just delivered himself of a sally that vastly amuses his companions, Ashley leans over and drawls: “Pardon me, senor, am I the subject of your mirth?”
The Spaniard may understand, but he makes no sign. The quartet set down their glasses and stare at the self-possessed young man who has risen and walked to their table and whose mild blue eyes run over the party in calm inquiry. And the young man notes that the time-killers for many tables around have ceased their chatter for the moment and are watching curiously the progress of the colloquy.
“I have reason to suspect,” goes on Ashley, “that you are making a beastly nuisance of yourself, and unless you are anxious for a good American thrashing I would advise you to keep a civil tongue from now on. If you don’t understand that I’ll knock it through your head in short order.”
The reply is a volley of red-hot Castilian, but Ashley is saved the trouble of attempting to comprehend it. For at this moment a long arm reaches by him and the Spanish captain is dealt a slap across the mouth that transforms his teeth for an instant into castanets.
Then there is confusion. The quartet spring to their feet and one of them seizes a bottle. But Ashley grips the uplifted arm with a wrist of steel and remarks in tones that carry conviction: “Easy, my friend, or I’ll throw you through the side of the house.”
The idlers in the cafe crowd about the combatants and the proprietor rushes up and protests against the disorder.
The Spanish captain and Ashley’s friend glare at each other, and the latter, after pronouncing the words “Hotel Royal” with a significance appreciated by his antagonist, slips his arm through Ashley’s and draws him from the cafe.
“Whither?” queries Jack, as they proceed down the street.
“To the Hotel Royal. I am stopping there for the night. And you?”