CHAPTER II
DELAYED RETURN
When Don de Zimmon’s limousine drew up before the palatial home of the de Castros, there was real concern on the face of Pedro de Castro as he came to greet them.
“My old friend, Alonzo, it is indeed a great pleasure to see you but your looks are all so grave that I am anxious to know if trouble has befallen any of you.”
“A little scrap, Padre, that’s all. We were so mussed, that is, our clothes, that Senor de Zimmon generously gave us a lift, which we accepted instead of waiting for the car.” Carlos spoke lightly.
“Your son, my friend, is not unlike we were, you and I, in long past days when adventure made our blood hot, but although we thought nothing of facing danger, we carefully concealed details from families if we were able. He is only partly correct in his statement. It was because I felt that something more serious might occur that I urged an immediate return home. I should have been most distressed had I permitted them to come unattended,” the Don replied.
“Many exploits we shared, my old friend, but it was always you who faced the greatest danger and whose deeds were most daring. On your heels I was a courageous fellow—ready to attack a lion—but alone—” he shrugged his shoulders, “alone I was given to going the long way around.”
“You do not do yourself justice. Once I recall that your sword saved me when my own had been broken; and another time you fought off a hungry shark—”
“It was nothing—” old Pedro said quickly.
“Nothing, Padre? You never told me anything about those times!”