“Five o’clock!” repeated Shirley. “And where will they be all that time?”
“Jail,” was the brief reply.
Shirley could not repress an exclamation of dismay.
“But can’t you hurry?” she exclaimed.
“Now don’t you fret,” said the consul. “There is certain red tape that must be gone through, and it will take time. Besides, it is needless to hurry. In this country no one hurries. If I seem unduly excited it will take longer than ever.”
“Please do the best you can, then,” said Shirley.
“I shall,” replied the consul. “In the meantime, you two girls return aboard the Yucatan. I’ll call my secretary and have him escort you back.”
In response to his summons a young man appeared and the consul instructed him to see them back aboard their ship.
“Yes, sir,” said the young man. “Come,” to the girls.
He accompanied them to the wharf, where he instructed the sailors to take them aboard and then return and await the arrival of the captain and the others.