“Well,” murmured Hal, under his voice, “I am gratified to learn that somebody else besides myself has to hold his tongue. I wouldn’t like to do all the shutting-up!”
It was all a picnic, so he fancied, since he was not only sure that the officers would find nothing compromising, but also sure that, whoever got the money, Senor Vasquez would not.
But the Spaniard, who had been narrowly watching the boy, now interposed:
“Captain, may a civilian subject suggest that the accused has not yet been searched?”
“Senor,” replied the captain, bowing slightly, “your loyal suggestion shall be at once acted upon. I myself will make the search.”
Thereupon the captain waved the soldiers away, most of them withdrawing to the corridor and doorway.
“Stand beside the accused,” ordered the captain, nodding at two of his men, who accordingly ranged themselves on either side of the American.
“Senor,” said the captain, coldly, “you will understand that what I am about to do is a duty imposed upon me.”
There was a trace of civility about this, which caused Hal to reply politely:
“If it is your duty, captain, I would be the last one to urge you from it. But I can tell you what I have about me. I have a pocket knife and a sum of money.”