“Naturally not,” was the dry answer.
There was no help for it. Hal had to obey, which he did with the poorest grace in the world.
But he passed through this ordeal like the others without mishap, and was curtly informed that he could put on his clothing again.
This Hal did, next standing at ease between the two soldiers.
“Do you find anything?” asked the captain, turning to his subordinate.
“Nothing,” replied the lieutenant.
“A mare’s nest, eh?” smiled the captain, grimly.
Hal duplicated the smile, but in a more genial manner, then turned to look at Vasquez.
But that Spaniard suddenly darted over to the trunk, knelt beside the lieutenant, and began to help rummage among the few remaining articles there.
“Ha! Here is something,” announced Vasquez, holding up a slip of paper.