"Profitable evil-doing is surely at a low ebb when I find El Avispa trying to make an honest penny," he meditated.
Muhammed's companion turned.
"Why do you term me The Wasp, Señor?" he asked with a grin of complacence. "Have I been known to sting?"
The guardia made a jerky motion of his thumb in the direction of the great convict establishment upon the hill.
"I don't know, amigo. Your exploits are scheduled up there; have a care that I do not need to refer to them. Whom do you await?"
"The Señor and the Señora who landed from the yacht," said the boatmen. "They visit the Señor Intendente."
The guardia looked doubtful.
"They landed from a boat, a motor boat," he objected.
"Precisely," agreed the other. "It appears that something affected the engine of this, some leak of the jacketing which I do not understand, but which I am informed cools the cylinders. The engineer returned while he could, enlisting my services to await and explain matters to his employer."
"Humph!" grunted the uniformed man. "His choice showed little discretion. See to it that you do not disgrace your opportunity. That seat is bespattered with fish-oil and scales. Wipe it!" He made a commanding gesture towards the offending stain, and walked majestically away.